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compulsion

[/kəmˈpʌlʃən/]
nounfemininepl: compulsions
compulsão
1. An irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes
She felt a compulsion to check the door lock repeatedly.
Ela sentia uma compulsão de verificar a fechadura da porta repetidamente.
2. The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; coercion
He signed the contract under compulsion.
Ele assinou o contrato sob compulsão.
3. A constraint or pressure that compels someone to act in a particular way
There was no legal compulsion to attend the meeting.
Não havia compulsão legal para comparecimento à reunião.
Synonyms
obsessionurgeimpulsecoercionconstraintobligation
Antonyms
choicefreedomvoluntary actionliberty

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
compulsão
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
compulsão
Standard European Portuguese term
General Brazilian
mania
Informal alternative for obsessive behavior

Related Idioms & Phrases

under compulsion
feel a compulsion to do something
compulsive behavior
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