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
Wuthering Heights is a dark and gothic tale of destructive, obsessive, conflicting romance.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
The current edition, DSM-5-TR, contains more than 300 distinct mental disorders such as schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and alcohol use disorder.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
Pratt will always be that obsessive guy who is thinking 10 steps ahead.
—Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
That’s the result of obsessive process optimization, relentless practice and complete clarity on roles and responsibilities.
—Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
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Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
The current edition, DSM-5-TR, contains more than 300 distinct mental disorders such as schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and alcohol use disorder.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
Pratt will always be that obsessive guy who is thinking 10 steps ahead.
—Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
That’s the result of obsessive process optimization, relentless practice and complete clarity on roles and responsibilities.
—Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 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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