Definition of obsessive
1a : tending to cause obsessionb : excessive often to an unreasonable degree
2 : of, relating to, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession
obsessive
nounobsessively
adverbobsessiveness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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 of obsessive from the Web
-
During the next year, obsessive fans kept close watch on Harington’s whereabouts.
-
Post-war guilt may play a role as Germany’s cure for its past becomes nearly as obsessive as the behavior that led to the disease in the first place.
-
His jams double as both the movie’s soundtrack and its door-slamming, chase-choreographing, explosion-exploding syncopation (a product of director Edgar Wright’s obsessive genius).
-
Again, the key here is to not be obsessive, and learn to be okay with the fact that not everything is going to be an exact match.
-
Reaching that milestone requires, among other things, an obsessive attention to detail and time management and a network of adult counselors to help meet the particular requirements of each badge, Scouts and their leaders said.
-
With the cable news cycle’s predictable turn toward semi-obsessive coverage of North Korea and President Trump’s responses to the small nation’s nuclear program, fear has become a fixture in many households.
-
Green talked about his struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder during a NerdCon: Stories convention speech last October in Minneapolis.
-
By April 2016, Lola and Nicole had an obsessive following.
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.
First Known Use of obsessive
1897
Other Psychology Terms
OBSESSIVE Defined for English Language Learners
obsessive
playDefinition of obsessive for English Language Learners
-
: thinking about something or someone too much or in a way that is not normal : having an obsession : showing or relating to an obsession
Medical Dictionary
obsessive
Medical Definition of obsessive
: an obsessive individual
Learn More about obsessive
-
See words that rhyme with obsessive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for obsessive Spanish Central: Translation of obsessive Nglish: Translation of obsessive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of obsessive for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up obsessive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!