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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


compulsion

adjective

Definition: 1. a force that makes somebody do something; 2. a strong urge to do or say something; 3. an irrational motive for doing something against one's will

Synonyms: impulse, obsession, fixation, urge, duress, pressure, obligation, preoccupation

Antonyms: choice, election, option, preference

Tips: Compulsion is derived from the Latin compellere, "to compel." When you are compelled do to something because of some outward pressure, you have a compulsion.

Usage Examples:

I had a compulsion to quit my job after I received a bad review, but instead, I decided to stick with it and improve my work ethic. (urge, impulse)

The problem was that he felt no compulsion to make a decision, so we waited for weeks before we got an answer. (pressure, obligation, urgency)

I responded to the strange request under compulsion from my boss. (pressure, urging)

When I was pregnant, I had the strongest compulsion to eat ice cream and pickles at the same time. (urge)


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