addictive

adjective

ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv How to pronounce addictive (audio)
a-
: causing or characterized by addiction
an addictive drug
an addictive personality

Examples of addictive in a Sentence

highly addictive drugs like crack and heroin the addictive thrill of surfing
Recent Examples on the Web Locally sourced fish and addictive homemade cream pies are also on the menu. Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Miller has rather cleverly figured out a healthy (and productive) way to satisfy his own addictive impulses. Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Nicotine—the addictive chemical contained in tobacco—is toxic, and even lethal, when orally ingested in high quantities. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 In recent months, Instagram has become inundated with previews of short addictive dramas — soap operas for users with limited attention spans. Mike Isaac, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Plaintiffs alleged the company has built addictive features, compelling them to pay for upgrades. Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Nicotine is highly addictive, and just 5 milligrams a day is enough to start an addiction.6 While all the potential long-term health effects of Zyn aren’t fully known yet, parents and teens should take caution. Christina Montoya Fiedler, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024 But the maddeningly addictive Balatro has become a sleeper hit on games service Steam following its full release this week. Barry Collins, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 But while the advantages of the sport are universal—and entirely unrelated to the price of your bike—those enthusiasts willing to spend can majorly amplify what can quickly become an addictive and all-consuming pastime. Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'addictive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

addict entry 2 + -ive

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of addictive was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near addictive

Cite this Entry

“Addictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addictive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

addictive

adjective
ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv How to pronounce addictive (audio)
a-
: causing or characterized by addiction
an addictive drug
an addictive game

Medical Definition

addictive

adjective
ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv How to pronounce addictive (audio)
: causing or characterized by addiction
addictive drugs

Legal Definition

addictive

adjective
ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv How to pronounce addictive (audio)
: causing or characterized by addiction
addictive drugs

More from Merriam-Webster on addictive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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