fixate

Definition of fixatenext
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 Several residents who spoke at the meetings characterized the opposition as a vocal minority of residents who have fixated on a few mostly parochial issues. John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026 Robbins recommends watching trends over weeks and months rather than fixating on last night’s number. Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 This move also reveals more about billionaire philanthropy than only fixating on the tax issue. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 July 2026 Some fixate on his emotional on-field demeanor, and others praise his reactions as expressions of passion tied to his want to win. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fixate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixate
Verb
  • This tilt toward Gloria causes the film to lose its way a bit, pulling focus from the more potentially vital mentor-disciple dynamic between Ed and the anxious, navel-gazing Meyers.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But the undrafted rookie who played collegiately at Arizona, West Virginia and Duquesne made a promise to himself to take a minute to gaze up at MetLife Stadium and appreciate where his football journey has led him.
    Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The students stared at their feet and struggled to keep straight faces.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Very few things in movies and television shows delight me as much as a mysterious character revealing his or her fascinating backstory through an extended monologue that is delivered while staring off into the unspecified middle distance.
    Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Both teams are eyeing crucial points across the two-test series for staying in contention for the 2027 World Test Championship final.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And Phoebe followed it at a safe distance, eyeing it suspiciously.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The September window aligns perfectly with annual carrier upgrade cycles, prompting consumers to renew contracts and consider new iPhones.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • During a californium-252 separation campaign in 2015, Delmau considered whether a different solvent extraction technique could eliminate a lengthy step in the process.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When the Bills’ first unit was in base defense for three snaps, 2025 third-round pick Landon Jackson got the work with Walker and Oliver while Sanders watched from the sidelines without his helmet on.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Most visitors are likely to watch from hotels, Nile cruise ships or riverside viewing areas rather than iconic sites such as Karnak Temple or Luxor Temple, where access is likely to be restricted.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • On Thursday, the nuisance from the wings was the one being gawked at by a cast young enough to be his kids — a detail Wilson clocked from backstage.
    Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But, as the decades rolled on, Blackpool itself became a subject to gawk at.
    George Francis Lee, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The greatest change was observed for women composers, whose employment has surged since 2007, when there were no women composers working across the top 100 movies.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Lunar eclipses are completely safe to observe with the naked eye, binoculars or telescopes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Japan’s emperors have long been regarded as descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu under Shinto beliefs.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Hojbjerg, for example, has eight Premier League seasons under his belt and is regarded as a leader.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixate. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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