Compulsive
Compulsive adjective - Caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge.
Compulsory and compulsive are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Compulsory" instead an adjective "Compulsive".
Compulsory
Compulsory adjective - Forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law.
Compulsive and compulsory are semantically related. Sometimes you can replace term "Compulsive" with "Compulsory", this adjectives are similar.
Nearby Words: compulsion, compulsive
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Compulsory and Compulsive. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/compulsive/compulsory
Compulsive & Compulsory. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/compulsive/compulsory>.
Compulsory or Compulsive. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/compulsive/compulsory.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "compulsive" and "compulsory" have occurred on timeline