obsessive

adjective

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ob·ses·sive | \ äb-ˈse-siv

, əb- \

Definition of obsessive

1a : tending to cause obsession

b : excessive often to an unreasonable degree

2 : of, relating to, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession

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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 In the finale, Angela recognizes the obsessive selfishness clouding Herman’s judgement. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, "The Serpent Finale Is An Elaborate & Upsetting Case Against Loving Selfish Men," 5 Apr. 2021 However, if this is you, be mindful of your obsessive tendencies and ability to manipulate people with your cleverness. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "What Your Midheaven Sign Tells You About Your Professional Life," 4 Apr. 2021 But great actors—hamstrung by their obsessive attention to technique or their personal dignity, or both—are sometimes boring. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Idris Elba Brings a Regal Urban Cowboy to Life in Concrete Cowboy," 2 Apr. 2021 McMurtry, a onetime co-owner of a bookstore in Washington’s Georgetown neighborhood, also was an obsessive collector of antiquarian books. — Joe Holley, Anchorage Daily News, "Larry McMurtry, award-winning novelist who pierced myths of his native Texas, dies at 84," 26 Mar. 2021 An obsessive focus on stock market returns is lulling many investors and analysts into thinking that the worst of the current COVID-19 economic crisis is over. — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes, "Looming Corporate Credit Losses Will Be Absorbed By Financial Institutions And Possibly Even By Taxpayers," 1 Mar. 2021 The fact that Alex Winter is not an obsessive fan was a key reason that, shortly before her death in 2015, Gail Zappa — Frank’s widow and the then-head of the Zappa Family Trust — gave Winter her full approval. — David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Arts & Culture Newsletter: What am I thankful for? Music," 26 Nov. 2020 The clothes are handmade with obsessive attention to detail. — Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, "These Are the New Names to Know From Milan Fashion Week, Fall 2021," 3 Mar. 2021 And more children are coming in with eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder, pediatricians said. — Naomi Martin, BostonGlobe.com, "Reopening schools will help, but won’t end Mass. child mental health crisis, experts say," 24 Feb. 2021

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

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