obsessive
adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈse-siv 
əb-
1
a
: tending to cause obsession
b
: excessive often to an unreasonable degree
an obsessive interest
2
: of, relating to, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession
obsessive
noun
obsessively
adverb
obsessiveness
noun
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
Parents may notice subtle warning signs like skipping meals, cutting out entire food groups, anxiety around social eating, obsessive label reading, excessive exercise, or a sudden focus on body image.
—
Leeann Weintraub, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
The filmmakers’ decision to let this smart, obsessive group of people expound on their favorite topic at length was the right one — the effect is like spending a rainy afternoon in a comfy chair in front of a fire, eavesdropping on some quality conversations.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
Lynn’s own account of the effect his obsessive qualities have on others is difficult to improve on.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
He will be remembered as a true genius, a wild, intense, football-obsessive.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
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Leeann Weintraub, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
The filmmakers’ decision to let this smart, obsessive group of people expound on their favorite topic at length was the right one — the effect is like spending a rainy afternoon in a comfy chair in front of a fire, eavesdropping on some quality conversations.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
Lynn’s own account of the effect his obsessive qualities have on others is difficult to improve on.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
He will be remembered as a true genius, a wild, intense, football-obsessive.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessive. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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