compulsion
C1Formal, Academic, Clinical
Definition
Meaning
A strong, irresistible urge to do something.
1. The action or state of being forced to do something; coercion. 2. (In psychology) An irresistible impulse to perform an irrational act.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Core sense relates to internal psychological pressure; extended sense relates to external social or legal force.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of psychological disorder or external force in both variants.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in formal/academic contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
compulsion to + infinitive (e.g., a compulsion to check)compulsion for + noun/gerund (e.g., a compulsion for cleanliness)under (no) compulsion (e.g., He signed under compulsion.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Under no compulsion (free to choose)”
- “A compulsion to repeat (psychological pattern)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might refer to regulatory compulsions (e.g., 'legal compulsion to file reports').
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and law to describe internal drives or external forces.
Everyday
Used to describe strong, hard-to-control habits or feelings (e.g., 'a compulsion to tidy up').
Technical
Specific clinical term in psychiatry (e.g., in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A (No direct verb form. Use 'compel' or 'feel compelled to').
American English
- N/A (No direct verb form. Use 'compel' or 'feel compelled to').
adverb
British English
- N/A (No direct adverb form. Use 'compulsively').
American English
- N/A (No direct adverb form. Use 'compulsively').
adjective
British English
- The compulsory nature of the course left no room for choice.
- He exhibited compulsive behaviour, checking the lock ten times.
American English
- The compulsory education law is strictly enforced.
- Her compulsive shopping was becoming a problem.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She felt a compulsion to tell the truth.
- He has a strange compulsion to count all the steps he climbs.
- The documentary explored the compulsion behind extreme risk-taking behaviours.
- The defendant argued he had acted under duress and compulsion, negating criminal intent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMPULSION sounds like 'compel' + 'session' – a session where you are compelled to do something.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPULSION IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (e.g., 'I was swept along by a compulsion.'), COMPULSION IS A CAPTOR (e.g., 'in the grip of a compulsion').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'принуждение' (coercion) when referring to the internal psychological urge. The internal sense is closer to 'навязчивое побуждение' or 'мания'.
- Do not translate as 'компульсия' in non-technical contexts; it is a clinical loanword.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'compulsory' (adjective for 'mandatory') interchangeably with 'compulsion' (noun).
- Misspelling as 'compultion'.
- Using with weak verbs (e.g., 'a little compulsion'); it implies significant force.
Practice
Quiz
In a clinical context, 'compulsion' most specifically refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An obsession is the persistent intrusive thought or idea; a compulsion is the repetitive behaviour or mental act performed in response to that obsession.
Rarely. It typically implies a lack of full control or rationality. It might be used hyperbolically (e.g., 'a creative compulsion'), but the core meaning is neutral or negative.
Indirectly. 'Compulsory' means 'required by law or rule' (external force). The adjective related to the internal urge is 'compulsive'.
Use the structure 'under compulsion' (e.g., 'The confession was obtained under compulsion and was inadmissible in court.').
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