Meaning & use
compulsively
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Meanings
adverb
In a way that is driven by a strong inner urge that is hard to control.
Grammar: Modifies a verb, often one of repeated action: 'He checked the lock compulsively.' It can also modify an adjective: 'compulsively neat'.
Patterns
- do something compulsively
- compulsively + verb
She checked her phone compulsively during the meeting, even though she knew no one would call.
He ate compulsively when he was stressed, finishing a whole bag of chips without thinking.
The child washed his hands compulsively until they were red and sore.
adverb
In a way that is very interesting and hard to stop doing or watching.
Grammar: Often used with verbs like 'watch' or 'read' to show that something holds your attention completely.
Patterns
- watch something compulsively
- read something compulsively
I watched the series compulsively over the weekend, finishing all ten episodes in two days.
She reads mystery novels compulsively, sometimes one a day.
Common combinations
- compulsively check
- He compulsively checks his email every few minutes.
- compulsively clean
- She cleans compulsively when she feels anxious.
- compulsively lie
- The character compulsively lies, even when the truth would be easier.
- compulsively gamble
- He gambled compulsively and lost all his savings.
- compulsively watch
- They compulsively watched the news during the crisis.
Synonyms and how they differ
- obsessively
- Similar, but 'obsessively' focuses more on the thoughts that occupy your mind, while 'compulsively' focuses on the action you cannot stop doing.
- uncontrollably
- Means without any control at all; 'compulsively' suggests a strong urge but not always a complete loss of control.
Opposites
Word family
- compulsive adjective
- Describing a person or behavior that is driven by such urges.
- compulsion noun
- The strong urge itself, or the act of forcing someone.
- compulsory adjective
- Required by a rule or law; not related to inner urges.
Commonly confused: compulsively or compulsorily?
compulsively vs compulsorily
'Compulsorily' means something is required by an authority, as in 'The training is compulsorily provided.' 'Compulsively' means doing something because of an inner urge, as in 'She checked her phone compulsively.'
Practice
Choose the correct word: After his diagnosis, he began to wash his hands ______, sometimes twenty times a day.
Choose one answer.
The sentence describes an inner urge to wash hands repeatedly, so the adverb 'compulsively' fits. 'Compulsorily' would mean he was forced by a rule, which is not the intended meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “compulsively”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.