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
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
In 2020, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many people had a deeply emotional, intensely personal, and perhaps somewhat obsessive relationship with a macroscope.
—
Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
Including this gossipy memoir for the truly obsessive aesthetes.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
It was established in 1923 by founder Shinjiro Torii as the first venue dedicated to crafting Japanese whisky with the obsessive attention to detail that has made the spirit beloved worldwide.
—Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
The last few pages of the book include discussion questions parents or teachers can use to expand on the complex themes presented in the book to young readers, and more information about obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
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Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
Including this gossipy memoir for the truly obsessive aesthetes.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
It was established in 1923 by founder Shinjiro Torii as the first venue dedicated to crafting Japanese whisky with the obsessive attention to detail that has made the spirit beloved worldwide.
—Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
The last few pages of the book include discussion questions parents or teachers can use to expand on the complex themes presented in the book to young readers, and more information about obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
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 Nov. 2025.
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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