fixate

verb

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fix·ate | \ ˈfik-ˌsāt

fixated; fixating

Definition of fixate

transitive verb

1 : to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging

2 : to focus one's gaze on

3 : to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1 : to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively

2 : to undergo arrestment at a stage of development

Examples of fixate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rather than fixate on strict, formulaic racial categories, many contemporary scientists are trying instead to apprehend human movement and human ecosystems. — Wired, 14 July 2022 In recent years, the debates over what to do with mentally ill people tend to fixate on two extremes. — New York Times, 26 July 2022 Still, Booster can't help but fixate on negative feedback, mainly via Twitter. — Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 June 2022 Don't fixate on a single social media platform or site. — Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 15 July 2022 Richtel doesn’t fixate on the neuroscience — this is your brain on creativity! — Eric Weiner, Washington Post, 24 June 2022 The Mighty Mississippi also maintains a looming presence across the record — a fitting recurring motif for an album whose songs fixate on a cast of characters constantly adrift, grasping for emotional liferafts. — Kat Bouza, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2022 As Trump continued to fixate on claims of fraud in Georgia around this time, Meadows worked to reach Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, whose office oversaw voting. — Michael Kranish, Anchorage Daily News, 11 May 2022 The election in the Republican-leaning 22nd District has been largely ignored as national Democrats and Republicans fixate on midterm elections that will determine control of Congress in 2023. — CBS News, 6 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fixate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fixate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for fixate

fixate

verb

fix·ate | \ ˈfik-ˌsāt

fixated; fixating

Medical Definition of fixate

transitive verb

1 : to focus one's gaze on

2 : to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1 : to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him — Journal of the American Medical Association

2 : to undergo arrestment at a stage of development