1. an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid (Freq. 3) - he felt a compulsion to babble on about the accident • Syn: irresistible impulse • Derivationally related forms: compulsive • Hypernyms: irrational impulse 2. an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will (Freq. 1) - her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly • Syn: obsession • Derivationally related forms: obsessional (for: obsession), compulsive • Hypernyms: irrational motive • Hyponyms: onomatomania 3. using force to cause something to occur (Freq. 1) - though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game - they didn't have to use coercion • Syn: coercion • Derivationally related forms: coerce (for: coercion), compel • Hypernyms: causing, causation • Hyponyms: eviction, constructive eviction
