compulsion

noun

An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.

The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.

The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).

Roots

pellopuls- · Latin · drive, push

Synonyms for compulsion

coercionn obsessionn duressn impulsen urgev impulsionn constraintn impellentadj compulsorinessn monomanian

Synonyms & related words for compulsion

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of compulsion — including coercion, obsession, duress, impulse, urge, impulsion. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to compulsion

Explore words related to compulsion — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include compulsive, compulsiveness, compelled, psychasthenia, compulsively, coercive, compels, impels. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for compulsion

Common synonyms for compulsion include coercion, obsession, duress, impulse, urge, impulsion, constraint, impellent — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does compulsion come from?

The word compulsion breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root puls-, from Latin pello (“drive, push”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.