compulsive
gb/kəmpˈʌlsɪv/ us/kəmpˈʌlsɪv/
B2
English
kényszeres, lebilincselő
B2
1
kényszeres
B2
Usage pattern:
compulsive [behavior/habit/urge]; compulsive [doing something]
His compulsive checking of his phone made it hard for him to focus at work.
A telefonja kényszeres ellenőrizgetése miatt nehezen tudott a munkájára figyelni.
The app was criticized for encouraging compulsive spending.
Az alkalmazást azért bírálták, mert kényszeres költekezésre ösztönzött.
She sought help for compulsive eating after years of trying to manage it alone.
Learner examples
He has a compulsive habit of checking the door.
Kényszeres szokása, hogy folyton ellenőrzi, be van-e zárva az ajtó.
Compulsive gambling can cause serious problems.
A kényszeres szerencsejáték komoly problémákat okozhat.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse compulsive with compulsory. Compulsory means required by a rule or law.
Meaning
Hard to control or resist
Collocations
compulsive behavior
|compulsive eating
|compulsive gambling
|compulsive shopping
|compulsive checking
|compulsive lying
|compulsive urge
|compulsive need
|compulsive spending
|compulsive use
Synonyms
uncontrollable (emphasizes that the person cannot easily stop it)
|
obsessive (emphasizes repeated thoughts or intense focus)
|
addictive (often used when a behavior or activity creates dependence)
Antonyms
controlled (done with self-control rather than an overpowering urge)
|
voluntary (chosen freely, without a feeling of being forced internally)
|
restrained (kept within limits)
Themes
behavior
|mental_health
|habits
Definition
If a behavior is compulsive, a person feels they must do it again and again, even if they want to stop.
Describes an action, habit, urge, or pattern of behavior that someone feels driven to do repeatedly and finds difficult to control or stop.
B2
2
kényszeres
B2
Usage pattern:
a compulsive [liar/gambler/shopper]; [someone] is compulsive about [something]
He was a compulsive liar, and even his friends stopped believing him.
Kényszeres hazudozó volt, és már a barátai sem hittek neki.
A compulsive gambler may keep betting despite serious financial losses.
Egy kényszeres szerencsejátékos súlyos pénzügyi veszteségek ellenére is tovább fogadhat.
She is compulsive about cleaning, especially when she feels anxious.
Learner examples
He is a compulsive shopper.
Ő kényszeres vásárló.
A compulsive liar lies very often.
A kényszeres hazudozó nagyon gyakran hazudik.
Common mistake:
Compulsive usually describes an unhealthy or extreme repeated habit, not just something someone likes doing a lot.
Meaning
Habitually driven person
Collocations
compulsive liar
|compulsive gambler
|compulsive shopper
|compulsive eater
|compulsive hoarder
|compulsive spender
|compulsive collector
|compulsive talker
Synonyms
habitual (emphasizes that the behavior happens regularly; less psychological)
|
obsessive (suggests an extreme mental focus on something)
|
addicted (stronger; suggests dependence on a substance or activity)
Antonyms
casual (not intense, repeated, or driven by a strong urge)
|
self-controlled (able to manage impulses)
|
moderate (not excessive or extreme)
Themes
people
|behavior
|habits
Definition
A compulsive person keeps doing something again and again and finds it hard to stop.
Describes a person who repeatedly does a particular thing because of a strong habit or urge that is difficult to control.
C1
3
lebilincselő
B2
Usage pattern:
compulsive [reading/viewing/listening]
The documentary makes compulsive viewing, even if you know how the story ends.
A dokumentumfilm akkor is lebilincselő, ha tudod, hogyan ér véget a történet.
Her memoir is compulsive reading from the first page.
Az emlékirata már az első oldaltól lebilincselő olvasmány.
The podcast became compulsive listening for fans of true crime.
Learner examples
The show is compulsive viewing.
A műsor lebilincselő.
This book is compulsive reading.
Ez a könyv lebilincselő olvasmány.
Common mistake:
This meaning is positive or neutral and is usually used for books, TV, films, games, or stories, not for ordinary duties.
Meaning
Irresistibly interesting
Collocations
compulsive reading
|compulsive viewing
|compulsive listening
|compulsive watching
|compulsive storytelling
|compulsive drama
|compulsive novel
|compulsive podcast
Synonyms
gripping (very exciting and holds your attention)
|
compelling (powerfully interesting or persuasive)
|
addictive (informal; makes you want more and more)
Antonyms
boring (not interesting)
|
dull (lacking excitement or energy)
|
unengaging (does not hold attention)
Themes
entertainment
|media
|books
Definition
If a book, show, or story is compulsive, it is so interesting that you do not want to stop.
So interesting, entertaining, or exciting that people want to continue reading, watching, or listening.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compulsive
IPA
GB/kəmpˈʌlsɪv/
US/kəmpˈʌlsɪv/
Syllables & stress
com - puls - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (puls)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: compulsive
Expressions
compulsive eating
1/kəmpˈʌlsɪv ˈitɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Uncontrolled repeated eating
Compulsive eating is eating because you feel a strong urge, not just because you are hungry, and finding it hard to stop.
Examples
- Stress made her compulsive eating worse.
- The program helps people understand the emotions behind compulsive eating.
- He talked openly about years of compulsive eating and shame around food.
Learner examples
- She needs help with compulsive eating.
- Compulsive eating can be linked to stress.
compulsive gambler
1/kəmpˈʌlsɪv ɡˈæmblɚ/
fixed phrase
Person unable to stop gambling
A compulsive gambler cannot easily stop gambling, even when it causes problems.
Examples
- He admitted he was a compulsive gambler after losing most of his savings.
- The charity runs a helpline for compulsive gamblers and their families.
- A compulsive gambler may keep betting in an attempt to win back losses.
Learner examples
- He is a compulsive gambler.
- Compulsive gamblers need support.
compulsive hoarding
1/kəmpˈʌlsɪv hˈɔɹdɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Uncontrolled saving of possessions
Compulsive hoarding means keeping too many things and finding it very hard to throw them away.
Examples
- Compulsive hoarding can make a home unsafe to live in.
- The documentary followed families affected by compulsive hoarding.
- Therapy helped him understand the anxiety behind his compulsive hoarding.
Learner examples
- Compulsive hoarding can fill a house with objects.
- He got help for compulsive hoarding.
compulsive liar
1/kəmpˈʌlsɪv lˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
person who lies repeatedly by habit
A person who lies again and again because they feel a strong need or habit to lie.
Examples
- She described her ex-boyfriend as a compulsive liar who could never tell a straight story.
- If he is a compulsive liar, it will be hard for you to know when he is honest.
compulsive liar
1/kəmpˈʌlsɪv lˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
Habitual uncontrolled liar
A compulsive liar is someone who lies again and again and finds it hard to stop.
Examples
- After years of excuses, she realized he was a compulsive liar.
- The article describes him as a compulsive liar who invented stories about his past.
- It is hard to rebuild trust when people think you are a compulsive liar.
Learner examples
- He is a compulsive liar.
- A compulsive liar lies very often.
compulsive shopping
1/kəmpˈʌlsɪv ʃˈɑpɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Uncontrolled repeated buying
Compulsive shopping is shopping again and again because of a strong urge, even when it causes problems.
Examples
- Online stores can make compulsive shopping easier to hide.
- She joined a support group to deal with compulsive shopping.
- Compulsive shopping left him with credit card debt he could not manage.
Learner examples
- Compulsive shopping can cause debt.
- She wants to stop her compulsive shopping.
obsessive-compulsive
1/əbsˈɛsɪv kəmpˈʌlsɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
having OCD-like traits
Obsessive-compulsive means related to OCD or similar repeated thoughts and actions.
Examples
- The clinician noted obsessive-compulsive symptoms, including repeated hand-washing.
- He described obsessive-compulsive behaviors that took hours each day.
Learner examples
- The doctor asked about obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
obsessive-compulsive
1/əbsˈɛsɪv kəmpˈʌlsɪv/
fixed phrase
Related to obsessions and compulsions
Obsessive-compulsive behavior involves repeated unwanted thoughts and repeated actions that are hard to stop.
Examples
- The therapist asked about his obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
- She showed some obsessive-compulsive tendencies, especially around checking locks.
- The study looked at obsessive-compulsive behavior in children and teenagers.
Learner examples
- He has obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
- The doctor asked about obsessive-compulsive behavior.
obsessive-compulsive disorder
1/əbsˈɛsɪv kəmpˈʌlsɪv dɪsˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
OCD mental health condition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is when unwanted thoughts and repeated actions are hard to control.
Examples
- He was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder in his twenties.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder can involve compulsive checking or mental rituals.
- Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder often includes therapy and, sometimes, medication.
Learner examples
- She was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
obsessive-compulsive disorder
1/əbsˈɛsɪv kəmpˈʌlsɪv dɪsˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Anxiety-related mental health condition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a condition that makes someone have repeated unwanted thoughts and do repeated actions to reduce anxiety.
Examples
- She was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder in her early twenties.
- Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder often includes therapy and sometimes medication.
- His obsessive-compulsive disorder made everyday tasks take much longer.
Learner examples
- OCD means obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- He has obsessive-compulsive disorder and is getting help.