COMPULSIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does compulsive mean? 

• COMPULSIVE (noun)
  The noun COMPULSIVE has 1 sense:

1. a person with a compulsive disposition; someone who feels compelled to do certain things

  Familiarity information: COMPULSIVE used as a noun is very rare.

• COMPULSIVE (adjective)
  The adjective COMPULSIVE has 2 senses:

1. caused by or suggestive of psychological compulsion

2. strongly motivated to succeed

  Familiarity information: COMPULSIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMPULSIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A person with a compulsive disposition; someone who feels compelled to do certain things

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("compulsive" is a kind of...):

individual; mortal; person; somebody; someone; soul (a human being)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "compulsive"):

control freak (someone with a compulsive desire to exert control over situations and people)

exhibitionist; flasher (someone with a compulsive desire to expose the genitals)

perfectionist (a person who is displeased by anything that does not meet very high standards)

workaholic (person with a compulsive need to work)

Derivation:

compulsion (an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will)

compulsive (strongly motivated to succeed)

compulsive (caused by or suggestive of psychological compulsion)

• COMPULSIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Caused by or suggestive of psychological compulsion

Context example:

compulsive drinking

Similar:

neurotic; psychoneurotic (affected with emotional disorder)

Derivation:

compulsion (an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid)

compulsion (an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will)

compulsive (a person with a compulsive disposition; someone who feels compelled to do certain things)

compulsiveness; compulsivity (the trait of acting compulsively)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Strongly motivated to succeed

Synonyms:

compulsive; determined; driven

Similar:

ambitious (having a strong desire for success or achievement)

Derivation:

compulsive (a person with a compulsive disposition; someone who feels compelled to do certain things)

 Context examples 

Mental disorders include a wide range of problems, including: • Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias • Bipolar disorder • Depression • Mood disorders • Personality disorders • Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia

(Mental Disorders, NIH)

An involuntary, compulsive, repetitive stereotyped movement, usually of the face or shoulders.

(Muscular Tic, NCI Thesaurus)

Types include: • Panic disorder • Obsessive-compulsive disorder • Post-traumatic stress disorder • Phobias • Generalized anxiety disorder

(Anxiety, NIH: National Institute of Mental Health)

Significantly, researchers were able to reverse compulsive alcohol drinking in the mice using gene delivery and pharmacology.

(New study identifies gene variant linked to compulsive drinking, NIH)

A drug used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.

(Fluvoxamine, NCI Dictionary)

The active S-stereoisomer of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram with antidepressant, anti-obsessive-compulsive and antibulimic properties.

(Escitalopram, NCI Thesaurus)

The maleate salt form of fluvoxamine, a 2-aminoethyl oxime ether of aralkylketones, with antidepressant, antiobsessive-compulsive, and antibulimic activities.

(Fluvoxamine Maleate, NCI Thesaurus)

When this kind of behavior becomes compulsive, however, it can get in the way of normal life — an impediment sometimes observed in illnesses such as Tourette's syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.

(Research on repetitive worm behavior has implications for understanding human diseases, National Science Foundation)

The debilitating behaviours and all-consuming thoughts, which affect people with severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), could be significantly improved with targeted deep brain stimulation.

(Deep brain stimulation may significantly improve OCD symptoms, University of Cambridge)

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 21 Item (HAMD-21) Obsessional and compulsive symptoms.

(HAMD-21 - Obsessional and Compulsive Symptoms, NCI Thesaurus)