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 As the media fixates on the digital natives known as Gen Z and Gen Alpha — often dismissing them as antisocial and entitled members of society — Saturday’s celebration showed that younger generations might actually have it all under control. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 Their eyes might glaze over, or fixate on some small detail that can be pocketed for future interpolation. Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 Hanson told a probation agent during the presentence investigation that he had been fixated on decapitation and was not sure why, but perhaps because of his work at the funeral home, the judge said. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026 But what one fixates on here is how the two men flanking the woman stand protectively close to her. Hilton Als, New Yorker, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fixate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixate
Verb
  • Were the children subjected to the marshmallow test allowed to pursue such gratifying delights, or would merely touching the treats have demonstrated their surrender to short-termism, causing the psychologist who gazed at them through a peephole to return, disappointed?
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • Yoon’s wife is gazing at a small, framed photo on the cabinet.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Regrets are common enough after lives are lost — when the cost of conflict is staring you right in the face, dead-eyed and countless — and yet this specific contrition persists long before the ships crash, the arrows fly, and the dragons roar.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
  • Most passengers spend a week living inside the ship, not staring at it from shore.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • Bradley Cooper is being eyed for the lead role, though the real life inspiration for the film has yet to be identified.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 16 June 2026
  • Eagle-eyed TikTokers quickly deduced that Franco's new account is only following two others — the official account for an upcoming film titled Love Meets in the Sunshine and Christian Guiton, the film's director.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly considering stepping down and could announce a timetable for his departure as early as Monday, according to a report published Saturday.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2026
  • Rigid gendered rules mean only those born to Parsi fathers are considered part of the community.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Despite the heat on Friday afternoon, a large crowd gathered at Bayfront Park to watch Team USA face off in its second match of the FIFA World Cup.
    Abby Dodge, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • Debating the ‘Suez moment’ As the two sides enter into the next phase of negotiation, observers are watching closely for what exactly the US gained from a conflict that took a heavy global economic toll.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Shoppers are gawking at their climbing receipts as food costs continue to climb.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 June 2026
  • Still, fans will get a chance to gawk at the arms of José Canseco, who turns 62 nine days before the derby.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Juneteenth is observed annually on June 19 and commemorates events that took place 160 years ago in Galveston, about 57 miles southeast of Houston.
    Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • These architectures allow organizations to observe operations in machine time, model future outcomes, anticipate disruptions, and increasingly automate decisions and actions.
    Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • After their convincing wins over Paraguay and Australia that sent them on to the knockout rounds, however, many are starting to readjust their expectations regarding the ceiling of this squad.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
  • The visit is part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts regarding Iranian-US negotiations, Tasnim reported.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixate. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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