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 Lewis Carroll’s fairy tale would serve as a psychological refuge and childhood obsession for Cathy as a young girl, fixating on the idea of drinking a potion to shrink so that no one can see her or reach her. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 While national attention has fixated on the fight for control of Congress, governorships will be important heading into a wide open presidential election in 2028. — Ruth Igielnik, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Cancer Nostalgia for former flames or fixating on someone else’s expectations can keep you from genuine romantic fulfillment. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 The Water element has everything to do with our emotions and intuition, while the Fixed modality is known to fixate, quite literally. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fixate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixate
Verb
  • Scoring the best view For optimal sky-gazing, Petro suggested finding a place free of obstruction from trees or buildings, such as a large field.
    — Dharma Niles, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The fact that Drew still gazed upon my more than half-a-century-old, decidedly not-hot physique with love and desire was a marvel and a gift.
    — Diana Daniele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Nakira’s mug shot showed a young Black woman with dark hair gathered at the nape of her neck, green eyes staring intently into the camera.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Royals were out of the AL Central race by August and staring at another losing season.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Two more original Glee cast members are eyeing a return for the Disney+/Hulu reboot.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Newsom, who's preparing to leave office in January and eyeing a 2028 presidential run, argued the mandate would improve workplace collaboration and innovation, which will help government better serve the public.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Marketed under the brand name Keytruda, pembrolizumab is considered to be something of a wonder drug in its own right, with just 30% of patients relapsing in the first two years of treatment.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Operators must consider what happens when that material eventually returns to Earth.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In practice, that means juniors sitting in on meetings to watch colleagues interrogate the numbers, being present when real decisions get made, and gaining experience in different departments.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Rams watching the panic meter This season certainly hasn’t gone according to plan for the Rams.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Pull some treats from the open coffin at Scotto Funeral Home, on the corner of Court Street and 2nd Place, then head to President near Hoyt to gawk at bloodstained windows and mutilated dolls.
    — Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The film opens with Tenzing as a boy, gawking at Mount Everest, which looms across the valley like Godzilla.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Scientists have been able to measure quantum effects in larger and more complex systems and over great distances, blurring the line once thought to separate the scale of observer and observed.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Employee was observed rinsing vegetables in the hand wash sink.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • First introduced in Stephen King’s 1974 novel, Carrie, the character was immortalized in director Brian De Palma’s 1976 adaptation, widely regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Sacramento County officials previously told The Sacramento Bee that there is no official local ordinance in the county code regarding pet burials.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixate. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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