Obsession vs. Compulsion — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Obsession and Compulsion
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Compare with Definitions
Obsession
A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.
Compulsion
The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; constraint
The payment was made under compulsion
Obsession
(Psychiatry) A pattern of unwanted or intrusive thoughts or urges that recur persistently, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.
Compulsion
An irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
He felt a compulsion to babble on about what had happened
Obsession
The quality of being obsessed.
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Compulsion
The act of compelling.
Obsession
An idea that engenders a compulsive or irrational preoccupation, or the preoccupation thereby engendered.
Compulsion
The state of being compelled.
Obsession
An activity or entity that inspires a compulsive and potentially unhealthy fixation, or the fixation thereby inspired.
Editing Wikipedia started as a hobby, but it's turned into a complete obsession of mine.
Compulsion
An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation
"He felt an animal compulsion to flee the hotel and the city" (Paul Theroux).
Obsession
Influence or control by evil spirits without possession.
Compulsion
(Psychiatry) An act or ritual that a person feels compelled to perform repeatedly, often to reduce the distress caused by an obsession.
Obsession
The act of besieging.
Compulsion
An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.
During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke.
Obsession
The state of being besieged; - used specifically of a person beset by a spirit from without.
Whether by obsession or possession, I will not determine.
Compulsion
The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.
Obsession
An excessive preoccupation of the thoughts or feelings; the persistent haunting or domination of the mind by a particular desire, idea, or image.
Compulsion
The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).
Obsession
Any driving motive; a compelling goal; - not necessarily implying a negative judgment, as does sense 3; as, the coach was obsessed with winning the state championship
Compulsion
The act of compelling, or the state of being compelled; the act of driving or urging by force or by physical or moral constraint; subjection to force.
If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion.
With what compulsion and laborious flightWe sunk thus low.
Obsession
Something that causes an obsession{3}.
Compulsion
An urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
Obsession
The state of being obsessed.
Compulsion
An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will
Obsession
An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will
Compulsion
Using force to cause something;
Though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game
They didn`t have to use coercion
Obsession
An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone
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