How do you pronounce compulsive?

The recorded pronunciation is /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/.

compulsive

/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.29 in modern English

Syllables: com-pul-sive
IPA: /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.

adj

Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.

noun

One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.

Example Sentences

"Jenny is a compulsive liar—don't believe a thing she says."
"Under this Act, the term "disability" shall not include—...(2) compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or[…]"
"Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane / But when I'm surrounded I just can't stop"
"Religion is […] inconsistent with all compulsive Motives."

Etymology

Borrowed from French compulsif, formed from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (“to compel”), from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”).

Origin

Source language: French

Word Breakdown

Root: compulsif, compulsus

Inflected Forms

more compulsive (comparative) most compulsive (superlative) compulsives (plural)

Derived Forms

anticompulsive compulsively compulsiveness compulsivity noncompulsive uncompulsive

Phrases

clothing compulsive compulsive behaviour compulsive decluttering compulsive hoarder compulsive hoarding compulsive streak obsessive-compulsive

Frequently Paired Words

compel compulsion compulsory

Synonyms

determined driven

Rhymes With

impulsive repulsive convulsive