compulsion — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke.

   More examples (1)

   It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].

2. The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   From the opening of the City & South London Railway independent electric locomotives were used under compulsion of the Board of Trade.

   But Treaty translator and Ottawa leader Andrew Blackbird described the Treaty as made “not with the free will of the Indians, but by compulsion.”

3. The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid

   Synonyms

   irresistible impulse

   Broader terms

   irrational impulse

   Examples

   he felt a compulsion to babble on about the accident

2. an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will

   Synonyms

   obsession

   Broader terms

   irrational motive

   Examples

   her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly

3. using force to cause something to occur

   Synonyms

   coercion

   Broader terms

   causingcausation

   Examples

   though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game

   they didn't have to use coercion