Compulsions are irresistible urges or repetitive behaviors that individuals feel they must perform to alleviate anxiety or discomfort. Synonyms for compulsions include impulses, inclinations, cravings, obsessions, fixations, addictions, habits, and dependencies. These words all describe the same powerful feeling of needing to act in a certain way or to do a specific thing repeatedly. Compulsions can vary greatly, from the urge to check and recheck locks to the need to wash hands excessively. Regardless of the specific behavior, compulsions can be difficult to control and can interfere with daily life. Understanding synonyms for this word can help individuals identify and describe their own compulsive behaviors more accurately.