Compulsion
Compulsion noun - An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will.
Usage example: her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly
Obsession is a synonym for compulsion in urge topic. In some cases you can use "Obsession" instead a noun "Compulsion", when it comes to topics like hang-up, drive, personal problem. popular alternative
Obsession
Obsession noun - Something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned.
Usage example: her latest obsession is a movie star who she thinks is very handsome
Compulsion is a synonym for obsession in fixation topic. You can use "Compulsion" instead a noun "Obsession", if it concerns topics such as hang-up, personal problem. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- desire and compulsion
- desire and obsession
- passion and compulsion
- passion and obsession
- infatuation and compulsion
- infatuation and obsession
- craving and compulsion
- craving and obsession
- fancy and compulsion
- fancy and obsession
- craze and compulsion
- craze and obsession
- violence and compulsion
- violence and obsession
How words are described
| particular | particular compulsion | particular obsession |
| similar | similar compulsion | similar obsession |
| strong | strong compulsion | strong obsession |
| constant | constant compulsion | constant obsession |
| Other adjectives: violent, severe, serious, unnatural, slight, irrational, sexual, new, outright, overwhelming, growing, odd, weird, inexplicable, strange, bizarre, psychotic, mad, increasing, cultural, sudden. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- His obsession with riddles wasn't born from cheating in a school competition and wanting to prove how clever he was; it was a compulsion to tell the truth due to a violent father.
Source: Multiple-Choice Past
Cite this Source
Obsession and Compulsion. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/compulsion/obsession
Compulsion & Obsession. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/compulsion/obsession>.
Obsession or Compulsion. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/compulsion/obsession.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "compulsion" and "obsession" have occurred on timeline