obsessive
adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈse-siv 
əb-
1
a
: tending to cause obsession
b
: excessive often to an unreasonable degree
2
: of, relating to, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession
obsessive
noun
obsessively
adverb
obsessiveness
noun
Examples of obsessive in a Sentence
Many dancers are obsessive about their weight.
He is an obsessive workaholic who never stops thinking about his job.
an obsessive interest in space travel
The new therapy is supposed to help people control their obsessive thoughts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoe’s fashion choices represented her constant search for happiness, outward validation, and career path from an obsessive fashion lover to an affluent designer.
—
Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024
The song’s title has since become a popular slang term for obsessive fans of specific celebrities.
—Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Taken to treat certain mental/mood disorders, such as depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
High Quality Ingredients: BATCH has always been known for obsessive attention to detail.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
His scientist’s mind and obsessive focus has brought us into worlds heretofore unseen.
4.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
And Questlove, of course, approaches it with not only the encyclopedic fluency and passion of an obsessive fan but also the expertise and originality of an innovative participant.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2024
Individuals with erotomania may also experience intrusive and obsessive thoughts about the object of their delusion that interfere with their daily functioning.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The series followed an obsessive fan who goes to murderous extremes to defend the sterling reputation of her favorite pop star.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 18 Feb. 2024
Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024
The song’s title has since become a popular slang term for obsessive fans of specific celebrities.
—Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Taken to treat certain mental/mood disorders, such as depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
High Quality Ingredients: BATCH has always been known for obsessive attention to detail.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
His scientist’s mind and obsessive focus has brought us into worlds heretofore unseen.
4.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
And Questlove, of course, approaches it with not only the encyclopedic fluency and passion of an obsessive fan but also the expertise and originality of an innovative participant.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2024
Individuals with erotomania may also experience intrusive and obsessive thoughts about the object of their delusion that interfere with their daily functioning.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The series followed an obsessive fan who goes to murderous extremes to defend the sterling reputation of her favorite pop star.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 18 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obsessive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near obsessive
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessive. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obsessive
adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈses-iv
əb-
: of, relating to, having, or being an obsession
obsessively
adverb
Medical Definition
obsessive
1 of 2 adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈses-iv, əb-
: of, relating to, causing, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession
obsessive behavior
obsessively
adverb
obsessiveness
noun
obsessive
2 of 2 noun
: an obsessive individual
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