Compulsion: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used when someone feels a strong, usually irresistible, pressure to do something, often without rational reason. It can have a negative connotation, especially in psychological contexts.

• He felt a compulsion to check his phone every few minutes
• Her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly worried her family

Urge is used to describe a strong impulse or instinctive desire to do something. It can be sudden and might lead to immediate action.

• He had the urge to laugh in the middle of the serious meeting
• She resisted the urge to eat all the cookies in one sitting

Drive is used to convey a strong motivational force that compels someone to pursue goals or ambitions. It often implies a sustained energy or determination.

• His drive to become a successful entrepreneur was evident from a young age
• The drive to help others has always been a key part of her personality

Need refers to something essential or very important for someone. It is a basic requirement that must be met for someone to be well or to achieve something.

• There is a need for more healthcare facilities in rural areas
• She expressed her need for more time to complete the project

Desire is used to express a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. It is neutral and can be used for both positive and negative wishes.

• She has a strong desire to travel the world
• His desire for success drove him to work hard every day

Often used in psychological or medical contexts to describe an uncontrollable urge to perform a specific action repeatedly.

• She has a compulsion to wash her hands every few minutes.
• He feels a compulsion to check the door lock multiple times before leaving.

Implies an intense and often unhealthy preoccupation with something or someone.

• His obsession with collecting stamps consumed most of his free time.
• Her obsession with cleanliness made it difficult for her to relax.

Used to describe an excessive and unhealthy focus on a particular person, object, or idea.

• His fixation on perfectionism was affecting his work and personal life.
• She developed a fixation on a celebrity, following every detail of their life.

Typically used to describe a strong desire for something, usually food or a substance.

• She had a sudden craving for chocolate.
• His cravings for cigarettes were hard to resist when he first tried to quit smoking.

Refers to a sudden, strong, and unreflective urge or desire to act.

• On an impulse, she decided to book a flight to Paris.
• He often made purchases on impulse without considering his budget.