OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

obsessive-compulsive

adjective

as in neurotic

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of obsessive-compulsive Eating disorders are somewhat like obsessive-compulsive disorder or substance use disorder and involve brain circuits that are very resistant to intervention, Hellerstein says. — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026 In 2018, their son, Alan Hu, was receiving medical care for depression and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. — Sharon Chin, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Wealthy, misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive, Melvin Udall, played by Jack Nicholson, develops an unlikely bond with Carol, a waitress portrayed by Helen Hunt. — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 In 2000, the Ig Nobel Prize in chemistry went to a trio of researchers at the University of Pisa in Italy and their colleague at UC San Diego for their discovery that, biochemically speaking, romantic love may be indistinguishable from having severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for obsessive-compulsive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsessive-compulsive

Adjective

The perfect dog needed to love balls or tug toys, be neurotic and extremely obsessive.

— Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026
In the artist, unlike the neurotic personality, stuckness can be hard to distinguish from integrity.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of neurotic

Adjective

As her life is starting, her mother suffers from an acute schizophrenic episode.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 16 June 2026
Americans call the sport soccer, the rest of the world calls it football, and therein lies the rub, the disconnection at the heart of the schizophrenic All-American life of Gilbert Chevalier.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026

Definition of schizophrenic

Adjective

Old enemies, bad habits, a paranoid government and an unrelenting ex-cop will make retirement their most difficult mission yet.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Increasingly isolated and paranoid—his fears being fueled by Wolfram & Hart’s manipulations—Wes kidnaps the baby Connor, intending to take him to safety.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of paranoid

Adjective

The artist adopts a schizoid persona, with multiple voices flowing out of him, and swerves between lucid social criticism—about the history of slavery or of higher education—and total gibberish.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
The idea of a schizoid Lady M is not entirely without appeal, but despite strong performances across the board, the work runs aground fast.

— Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024

Definition of schizoid

Adjective

There are a number of eating behaviors, some of which might be considered disordered eating behaviors, that people trying to become muscular often engage in.

— Ashleigh N. DeLuca, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026
Many of the characteristics that facilitate athletic success can also increase disordered eating symptoms.

— Erin Harrop, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of disordered

Adjective

Almost every great performer is at some point in their life delusional.

— Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
In February, Patrick Collison told TBPN there was a reasonable chance Q1 2026 would be remembered as the first quarter of the singularity, adding that in hindsight the claim might look completely delusional.

— Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of delusional

Adjective

Petticrew, who is 30 but played a teen convincingly as recently as 2024’s Say Nothing, portrays Catherine as the sociopathic consequence of a culture prone to sexualizing the young.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026
Vian’s book is brutal, almost unbearably sociopathic, but his descriptions are lyrical and refined.

— SPIN Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026

Definition of sociopathic

Adjective

Instead, New York mounted an improbable if not impossible resurrection, Anunoby’s tip-in providing the exclamation point to the delirious comeback.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
So ensues a period of delirious soul-searching, given tremendous gravitas by Bakhtadze.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of delirious

Browse Nearby Words

obsessive

obsessive-compulsive

obsess (over)

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“Obsessive-compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsessive-compulsive. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of obsessive-compulsive

adjective

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