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

But my other obsessive pursuits did not possess that game-like quality, did not satisfy the thrill of the chase, of competition against myself. —Hazlitt, 11 June 2025

Straight heads-down obsessive preoccupation with landing at AGI. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

The breast cancer diagnosis comes less than one year after the singer revealed that she was diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025

Designed in Switzerland and made in Japan, each showcases an obsessive level of technical artistry, from the knurled temple fronts inspired by watchmaking to the titanium temple tips that recall high-end fountain pens. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsess + -ive

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing obsessive

• obsessive-compulsive
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

Rhymes for obsessive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• impressive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive
• regressive

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