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?
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
And interminably long campaign cycles — where media coverage fixates on the horse race and almost never engages with policy — leave voters both disengaged and underinformed.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Trump began fixating on beef prices last fall, proposing in October 2025 to increase Argentine beef imports, drawing pushback from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Republican senators from cattle states.
—Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
For weeks, the media has been fixated on whether a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which killed three people, could lead to the next pandemic.
—Leana S. Wen, Washington Post, 18 May 2026
Over the course of Obsession's 108-minute runtime, Nikki transforms into an self-destructive, possessive, and dangerously violent shadow of her former self as Bear's spell forces her to fixate solely on her unnatural devotion to him—no matter the cost.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fixate
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Trump began fixating on beef prices last fall, proposing in October 2025 to increase Argentine beef imports, drawing pushback from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Republican senators from cattle states.
—Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
For weeks, the media has been fixated on whether a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, which killed three people, could lead to the next pandemic.
—Leana S. Wen, Washington Post, 18 May 2026
Over the course of Obsession's 108-minute runtime, Nikki transforms into an self-destructive, possessive, and dangerously violent shadow of her former self as Bear's spell forces her to fixate solely on her unnatural devotion to him—no matter the cost.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fixate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixate
Verb
-
Stood frozen to the backdrop of unrestrained exultation, Cholowsky — the presumptive top pick in July’s MLB Draft — gazed over the boy’s shoulder with a thousand-yard stare.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
As a scorching wind tears across the barren, rocky slopes of Komote Island off the shore of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya, Alfred Lenkutuk sits in the meager shelter of his hut, gazing out over the village where he was born and remembering better times.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
In another Amsterdam photo, a pair of identical world globes, recalling Ghirri’s passion for cartography and atlases, rest on matching supports to conjure that oldest of surrealist tropes, a pair of staring eyes.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Sure, there are probably supermodels, sports stars, and famous actors in your midst (don’t stare).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Luckily Thomas, who’s eyeing an opening date of June 11, hasn’t run into any major building issues.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
-
Passersby with timing and a certain derring-do have measured their odds and eyed their paths.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Treasury Department will also consider using Iranian assets to support repairs for past damage, according to the source who confirmed earlier reporting from Reuters on Saturday.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
He's considered one of the planet’s most versatile watermen, with accolades that include eight-time stand-up paddle world champion, hydrofoil pioneer, and big-wave master.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
And Wrobleski nodded, as if in acceptance, before turning to watch the ball fly over the wall in center field for a solo homer.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
As Toomey looked for a seat to watch the race that day at Balboa Stadium, he was spotted by his old cross-country coach at Palo Alto High School, Forrest Jamieson.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The Luce’s quiet-luxury design will also please those browsing Ferrari’s new fashion stores to make a purchase and not just gawk at the prices.—
Alistair Charlton,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
This seemingly reflexive action of whipping out their phones while gawking and filming isn’t a novel occurrence.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
An entire mission directing six blasts against three Russian frontline targets in eastern Ukraine will involve no Ukrainian troops on the ground, the battle instead directed from gamer chairs, observed from reconnaissance drones above, run over dedicated livestreams.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Then be sure to read our picks of the best telescopes and binoculars for exploring the night sky, along with our beginner's guide to observing the moon!—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Lisabeth Pérez Castle, the city’s independent monitor, said in a statement that the vague new approach to discipline does not clearly explain how safety officials will comply with city laws regarding the monitor’s oversight.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
Kardashian’s ex, Tristan Thompson, sat down for an hour-long interview on her Khloé in Wonderland podcast to leave no stone unturned regarding their former relationship and current co-parenting partnership.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixate. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
