FIXATE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

fixate

verb

Definition of fixate

as in to gaze

to look at or think about something constantly; to give all of your attention to something

—usually + on or upon The cat was fixated on a small hole in the wall. Why do journalists fixate on scandals?

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fixate If those numbers sound ambitious, don’t fixate on perfection. — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2026 Whatever the case, on Monday some of the greatest voetbal players in the world decided to fixate not on a large ball and a net on the international stage, but on a tiny ball and a cup in Kansas City, North. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2026 Don’t fixate on a magic number. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 People often fixate on one sentence and miss everything else, Mahlum says. — Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fixate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixate

Verb

Martin’s most poignant moment all season is her inscrutable look as Raskova gazes between Anastasia and Sasha; two people sacrificing themselves for love is unfathomable to her.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Curious passersby stopped throughout the day, gazing up at what used to be the Pfizer headquarters building.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of gaze

Verb

His suns stare curiously from one side of a page spread to another and his stacks of hay worriedly study the horizon, while his one-eyed stools and one-eyed fenceposts pop up like eager cyclopses.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
No foul was assessed in real time, and the red card was awarded only after the official stared at a slow-motion replay.

— Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of stare

Verb

The heavy use of VAR has also interrupted the flow of games by halting matches that weren’t meant to be halted, leaving everyone standing on the field while the referee goes off to watch TV, sometimes for minutes at a time.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
All eyes on England-Norway Even as fans file into Arrowhead, many are stopping to watch the other quarterfinal now in progress, between England and Norway.

— The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026

Definition of watch

Verb

Instead, the skin-frying Friday saw common flow of people going through, gawking at the large screens and a group of sailors allowing some passing by to do pull-ups from a bar.

— Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
The walk to the stadium is a mile or so along the Alaskan Way, where restaurants like the Crab Pot are opening up, but everyone is gawking at the street spectacle.

— Simon Hughes, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of gawk

Verb

While birdwatching typically refers to casually observing birds, birding is a more intentional and accessible hobby focused on identifying species and learning about their behavior.

— Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Reimagined through the language of garment construction, Wong’s artwork becomes something to be worn rather than simply observed, serving as a reminder that art doesn’t have to be confined to a gallery wall.

— Roddy Clarke, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of observe

Verb

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report from the messaging app Kik regarding potential child pornography, Thompson said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
The lawsuit aims to become a class action and comes after weeks of fierce criticism and complaints from customers regarding the company’s practices.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of regard

Browse Nearby Words

fixable

fixate

fixated

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“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fixate

verb

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