compulsion

About 2.93 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.

   During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke.

2. noun The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.
3. noun The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).

Similar words

obsession coercion irresistible impulse force forcible duress coercive imposition enforcement oppression

Often followed by

to of and in is or for was that

Word family

compulsions