obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈse-shən 

əb-

1

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

broadly : compelling motivation

an obsession with profits

has an obsession with gambling

He's concerned about cleanliness to the point of obsession.

2

: something that causes an obsession

Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.

obsessional

äb-ˈse-sh(ə-)nəl 

əb-

adjective

obsessionally adverb

Synonyms of obsession

• problem
• fascination
• preoccupation
• fixation
• fetish
• mania
• enthusiasm

Examples of obsession in a Sentence

He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.

She has an obsession about cleanliness.

Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.

Money has become an obsession for him.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Trump’s obsession with these vulgar memorials to his own vanity is a reminder of the darkness around him, of his hostility to democracy, his loathing of honor, and his disordered mind. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

And 10,000 is about the number of oak seedlings he’s entrusted to the hands of people who pledged to care for the tree that has become his mission and obsession. — Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Remedy games encourage a kind of obsession and fascination from players, not just with inexplicable lore but with thick atmosphere. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

Peter Infelise can credit his obsession with the macabre to TV movie host Svengoolie. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "control of a person by an evil spirit," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "siege, condition of a person possessed by a demon," borrowed from Latin obsessiōn, obsessiō "act of besieging, blockade" (Late Latin, "possession by a demon"), from obsidēre "to occupy, besiege, beset" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at obsess

Note: See note at obsess.

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for obsession

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• oppression
• possession

Kids Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən 

əb-

: a disturbing concern with an idea or feeling that cannot be put out of mind even when it is seen to be unreasonable

also : such a thought or feeling

Medical Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb- 

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

also : something that causes such preoccupation compare compulsion, phobia

obsessional

-ˈsesh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective