One way to picture it: something inside is pushing you, and the brake does not work. You may even know it is a bad idea — you do it anyway, because the push is stronger than the choice.
From the word’s history
From Latin compellere 'to drive together, force' (com- 'together' + pellere 'to drive, push'), via the past participle compulsus — the same root as compel and propel.
來自拉丁文 compellere：com-（一起）+ pellere（驅趕、推），過去分詞 compulsus。pellere 這個「推」的動作也藏在 propel（推進）、expel（趕出去）裡面。所以 compulsive 骨子裡就是「被推著走的」——推力來自哪裡，正是這個字有趣的地方：不是別人在推你，是某種你管不住的東西在推你。
Wiktionary
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原始詞典資料3 筆記錄
以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，摘錄並精簡格式，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。
compulsiveadj/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/
- 1
Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.
- Jenny is a compulsive liar—don't believe a thing she says.
- Under this Act, the term "disability" shall not include—...(2) compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or[…]
- 2
Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.
- Religion is […] inconsistent with all compulsive Motives.
compulsivenoun/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/
- 1
One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.
摘錄自 英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary，已精簡格式；依 CC BY-SA 4.0 授權使用，改動後的內容同樣以此授權提供。