compulsion
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.
force or pressure that makes someone do something
The use of force, threats, or strong pressure to make someone do something.
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.
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.
- Base: compulsion
- Plural: compulsion, compulsions
act on a compulsion
1do what the urge demands
do the action you feel you must do
- 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.
- He did not act on the compulsion.
feel a compulsion to do something
1suddenly or strongly feel driven
feel a strong need to do something
- 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.
- I felt a compulsion to say sorry.
give in to a compulsion
1stop resisting the urge
stop resisting and do it
- 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.
- He gave in to the compulsion.
have a compulsion to do something
1be strongly driven to act
feel you must do something
- 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.
- She has a compulsion to check the lock.
under compulsion
1forced, not by choice
forced to do something
- 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.
- He signed it under compulsion.