compulsion

Universal Words noun ~ (to do sth) 1 [U,C] strong pressure that makes sb do sth that they do not want to do: You are under no compulsion to pay immediately. * There are no compulsions on students to attend classes. * The legal system is based on compulsion. 2 [C] a strong desire to do sth, especially sth that is wrong, silly or dangerous: He felt a great compulsion to drive too fast. * Obsessions and compulsions often develop in people who live stressful lives. seealsoCOMPEL