addiction
noun
ad·dic·tion
| \ É-Ëdik-shÉn
, a-\
, a-\
Definition of addiction
1
: the quality or state of being addicted
addiction to reading
2
: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (such as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal
broadly
: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful
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Synonyms for addiction
Synonyms
dependence (also dependance), habit, jones [slang], monkey
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Examples of addiction in a Sentence
He has a drug addiction.
His life has been ruined by heroin addiction.
He devotes his summers to his surfing addiction.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Blind since childhood, Ray Charles overcomes poverty, hardship and addiction and becomes an American music legend. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 1 - 7, 2019: John Wayne in âThe Searchersâ and more," 30 Aug. 2019 The two men had falsely claimed military service in their bid to get into Veterans Treatment Court, a separate court in the state for veterans struggling with addiction or other health issues. — NBC News, "2 men who faked military service are ordered to write names of 6,700 Americans killed in action," 29 Aug. 2019 Oklahoma had sought as much as $17.5 billion in reimbursements for tax dollars spent dealing with an epidemic of addiction and overdoses. — Fortune, "J&J Shares Rise After Lower Than Expected Award for Companyâs Part in Opioid Crisis," 27 Aug. 2019 As part of the transition, there will be help for residents to cope with addictions or mental illness. — Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY, "$700K for an apartment? The cost to solve the homeless crisis is soaring in Los Angeles," 20 Aug. 2019 Since Kendall had been plotting a hostile takeover of his fatherâs business, Logan now has maximum leverage over the son whoâs struggled both with cocaine addiction and his own frustrated desire to prove his worth. — oregonlive.com, "âSuccessionâ and âThe Righteous Gemstonesâ: How to make unlikable characters into great TV (and how not to)," 13 Aug. 2019 Amy Klobuchar has a less detailed plan to spend $100 billion on addiction and mental health services over 10 years. — German Lopez, Vox, "The Democratic debates neglected one of Americaâs biggest public health crises," 1 Aug. 2019 Last year, Crosspoint and UT Health San Antonio opened new transitional housing for mothers recovering from opioid addiction and their children. — Lauren Caruba, ExpressNews.com, "Bexar County opioid lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies gets October 2020 trial date," 30 July 2019 Brockmire started as a wonderful one-joke Funny-or-Die gag and has become an impressive portrait of addiction and recovery. — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Sherman's Showcase': TV Review," 30 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'addiction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for addiction
addiction
noun
English Language Learners Definition of addiction
: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble)
: an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something
See the full definition for addiction in the English Language Learners Dictionary
addiction
noun
ad·dic·tion
| \ É-Ëdik-shÉn
\
\
Medical Definition of addiction
: compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal
broadly
: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful â compare habituation
addiction
noun
ad·dic·tion
| \ É-Ëdik-shÉn
\
\
Legal Definition of addiction
: compulsive physiological need for a habit-forming drug (as heroin)
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