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

Synonyms

• besetting
• compulsive
• driven
• impulsive
• obsessional

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

Engaged in a steamy love triangle and targeted by an obsessive attacker, Shams escapes to the capital city. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023

Teresa’s almost obsessive reminiscing about her previous jobs is an expression of her desire to impose a storyline on her life. —Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023

But this preoccupation with the erotic world would not become so obsessive if Eros were healthy. —Armond White, National Review, 4 Oct. 2023

Fraser, a 52-year-old life-long resident of Edinburgh with a lilting brogue, is an obsessive genealogist and historian who can help those with Scottish ancestry trace their roots and choose tartans that match their family heritage. —Ross Kenneth Urken, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023

Depression is defined by a cluster of symptoms — deep sadness, obsessive self-blame, slowed thought and speech, problems with eating and sleeping, suicidal thoughts, a loss of the ability to experience pleasure, and more. —Peter D. Kramer, STAT, 16 Nov. 2023

Michael Mann is a filmmaker known for his exacting, obsessive attention to detail. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023

Thoughts of food and the methods to eliminate it had become obsessive, dominating her day and disrupting her sleep. —Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2023

His creative process works in the same obsessive way. —Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing obsessive

• obsessive-compulsive
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

• obsessive-compulsive
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

Kids 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