compulsion
gb/kəmpˈʌlʃən/ us/kəmpˈʌlʃən/
B2
English
ellenállhatatlan késztetés, kényszer, kényszerítés, belső kényszer, késztetés, kényszercselekvés, kompulzió
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
a compulsion to [do something]
She felt a compulsion to check her phone every few minutes.
Erős késztetést érzett arra, hogy néhány percenként megnézze a telefonját.
He couldn’t explain the compulsion to keep reorganizing the same drawer.
Nem tudta megmagyarázni, miért érzett kényszert arra, hogy újra meg újra átrendezze ugyanazt a fiókot.
The compulsion grew stronger whenever he felt stressed.
Learner examples
I have a compulsion to bite my nails.
Ellenállhatatlan késztetést érzek arra, hogy rágjam a körmömet.
She felt a compulsion to look back.
Ellenállhatatlan késztetést érzett, hogy visszanézzen.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse compulsion (an urge) with compassion (kindness).
Meaning
a strong urge to act
Collocations
feel a compulsion
|have a compulsion
|a compulsion to check
|a compulsion to eat
|a compulsion to gamble
|an irresistible compulsion
|an overwhelming compulsion
|a compulsion to repeat
|a compulsion to confess
|a compulsion to clean
Synonyms
urge (More general; less extreme than compulsion.)
|
impulse (Often sudden and brief; compulsion can be persistent.)
Antonyms
self-control (The ability to resist urges rather than act on them.)
|
choice (A freely made decision rather than an overpowering urge.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|daily_life
Definition
a very strong feeling that you must do something
A strong and sometimes irresistible urge to do something, even when you do not really want to.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
kényszer
B2
kényszerítés
C1
Usage pattern:
do [something] under compulsion
The agreement must be signed without compulsion or threats.
A megállapodást kényszer vagy fenyegetés nélkül kell aláírni.
Any confession obtained by compulsion is not admissible in court.
A kényszer hatására tett vallomás a bíróságon nem fogadható el.
They acted under compulsion after receiving repeated threats.
Learner examples
He worked under compulsion.
Kényszer alatt dolgozott.
She signed the paper without compulsion.
Kényszer nélkül írta alá a papírt.
Common mistake:
Compulsion is the pressure/force; the verb is compel (to force).
Meaning
force or pressure to act
Collocations
under compulsion
|through compulsion
|legal compulsion
|state compulsion
|external compulsion
|economic compulsion
|compulsion and coercion
|submit to compulsion
|use compulsion
|without compulsion
Synonyms
coercion (Often emphasizes threats or intimidation.)
|
pressure (Broader; can be social and less direct than compulsion.)
Antonyms
volition (Doing something by free choice rather than being forced.)
|
freedom (Lack of external force or constraint.)
Themes
law
|society
|conflict
Definition
force or pressure that makes someone do something
The use of force, threats, or strong pressure to make someone do something.
NOUN
B2
3
késztetés
B2
Usage pattern:
feel a compulsion to [do something]
She felt a compulsion to reply immediately, even late at night.
Belső kényszert érzett arra, hogy azonnal válaszoljon, még késő este is.
He spoke out of a compulsion to set the record straight.
Azért szólalt meg, mert belső kényszert érzett, hogy tisztázza a tényeket.
There was no compulsion to stay, but they didn’t want to leave.
Learner examples
I felt a compulsion to help him.
Belső kényszert éreztem, hogy segítsek neki.
She stayed out of compulsion.
Kényszerből maradt.
Common mistake:
This sense is about obligation/expectation, not a legal requirement.
Meaning
sense you must do it
Collocations
a sense of compulsion
|an inner compulsion
|a moral compulsion
|social compulsion
|feel compulsion
|act from compulsion
|compulsion to explain
|compulsion to apologize
|compulsion to help
|a compulsion to respond
Synonyms
obligation (More clearly about duty; compulsion suggests stronger internal pressure.)
|
necessity (Focuses on practical need rather than psychological pressure.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of motivation or felt need to act.)
|
reluctance (Unwillingness rather than feeling driven to act.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|work
Definition
a strong feeling of duty or need to do something
A strong feeling that you must do something because you believe it is necessary or expected.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
kompulzió
C2
Usage pattern:
a compulsion to [do something]
One of his compulsions was repeatedly checking that the door was locked.
Az egyik kényszercselekvése az volt, hogy újra meg újra ellenőrizte, be van-e zárva az ajtó.
Treatment helped her resist the compulsion to wash her hands dozens of times a day.
A kezelés segített neki ellenállni annak a kényszernek, hogy naponta tucatnyi alkalommal mosson kezet.
The therapist explained how compulsions temporarily reduce anxiety but keep the cycle going.
Learner examples
His compulsion was to check the stove many times.
Az ő kényszercselekvése az volt, hogy sokszor ellenőrizte a tűzhelyet.
Common mistake:
In clinical use, a compulsion is usually an action (e.g., checking), not just a desire.
Meaning
repeated act done to relieve anxiety
Collocations
OCD compulsions
|washing compulsion
|checking compulsion
|counting compulsion
|compulsion and obsession
|resist a compulsion
|perform a compulsion
|reduce compulsions
|manage compulsions
|compulsion rituals
Synonyms
ritual (Often used for repeated behaviors; less precise clinically without context.)
Antonyms
avoidance (Staying away from actions/triggers rather than repeating an action.)
Themes
health
|psychology
Definition
in OCD, a repeated action someone feels they must do
In mental health contexts, a repeated action that a person feels driven to do, often to reduce anxiety caused by an obsession.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compulsion
IPA
GB/kəmpˈʌlʃən/
US/kəmpˈʌlʃən/
Syllables & stress
com - pul - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pul)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: compulsion
- Plural: compulsion, compulsions
Word family
Forms
compulsions
noun
Core family
Related words
compulsory
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
compulsiveness
noun
compulsorily
adverb
Expressions
act on a compulsion
1/ˈækt ˈɔn ə kəmpˈʌlʃən/
fixed phrase
do what the urge demands
do the action you feel you must do
Examples
- He tried not to act on the compulsion to check the stove again.
- Therapy helped her notice the urge without acting on a compulsion.
- If you act on a compulsion, the relief is usually temporary.
Learner examples
- He did not act on the compulsion.
feel a compulsion to do something
1/fˈil ə kəmpˈʌlʃən tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
suddenly or strongly feel driven
feel a strong need to do something
Examples
- She felt a compulsion to explain herself.
- He felt a compulsion to check the news again.
- I felt a compulsion to call her as soon as I heard.
Learner examples
- I felt a compulsion to say sorry.
give in to a compulsion
1/ɡˈɪv ˈɪn tə ə kəmpˈʌlʃən/
fixed phrase
stop resisting the urge
stop resisting and do it
Examples
- She gave in to the compulsion and checked the door one more time.
- He was exhausted from constantly fighting, then giving in to, his compulsions.
- Try to delay before you give in to a compulsion.
Learner examples
- He gave in to the compulsion.
have a compulsion to do something
1/hˈæv ə kəmpˈʌlʃən tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
be strongly driven to act
feel you must do something
Examples
- I have a compulsion to tidy my desk before I start work.
- He has a compulsion to reread every message before sending it.
- Some people have a compulsion to keep buying things they don’t need.
Learner examples
- She has a compulsion to check the lock.
under compulsion
1/ˈʌndɚ kəmpˈʌlʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
forced, not by choice
forced to do something
Examples
- He admitted that he acted under compulsion.
- The contract is invalid if it was signed under compulsion.
- She said she agreed under compulsion, not willingly.
Learner examples
- He signed it under compulsion.