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 Fascinatingly, the journey of the eager-to-please author often paralleled that of the novel’s protagonist, who fixates relentlessly on how others perceive her. Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 Next year’s draft is also why there’s no point in fixating on wins and losses this season. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026 Continue reading … ON THE RECORD — Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed fires back at CNN choosing to 'fixate' on 'defund the police' comments. FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 Today's stock-market market conversation is dominated by structural dynamics, index machinations and mechanical flows the way World Cup chatter fixates on officiating decisions and bracket construction. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fixate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixate
Verb
  • If the weather cooperates, the possibilities are endless — hiking, surfing, sunbathing, strolling, gazing at the stars in the sky.
    Ed Silverman, STAT, 31 July 2026
  • Shimmering Marinas Oh, to be on the coast of France, gazing into the ocean.
    Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Inside the latest post-loss clubhouse, multiple players sat at their lockers in silence, staring at their phones or blankly ahead.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • This paragon of patience is staring at an uncertain future and wearing thin.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Juric and Lindgren are eyeing new markets, having largely focused on domestic Swedish clients to date.
    David Prosser, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The roughly 148,000-square-foot Target will be the Treasure Valley’s fourth, with opening eyed for May 2027, Ahlquist previously told the Statesman.
    Rose Evans July 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The politically-fraught topic is also the subject of debate in Washington and in city councils and commissioners courts across the state, where communities have considered local tax incentives.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
  • The sandwiches don’t need to be boring in order to be quick and simple — consider gyros.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • Skilled Photoshop artists spent years mastering masking, selections and retouching techniques, only to watch AI remove a complex background with a single click.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026
  • For several days, millions of people watched Simon — a 7-year-old Jindo-skewing mix — journey toward taking his final breath.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • There wasn't even money to demolish the building, so the rivers of humanity who once flowed through the grand space were replaced by voyeurs from the world come to gawk at its cavernous shell.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • Next Big Thing, have become the most talked about — and gawked about — in the run-up to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina will play Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.
    Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Even despite all this, the task force observes that defensive arrays might be insufficient to stop rogue drone operators from succeeding in their goals.
    Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Junior defensive end Zach Chapman was observed on the sidelines in a boot.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Baresi is regarded as an AC Milan icon, having spent his entire 20-year career with the club, winning six Serie A titles and three top European trophies, and captaining the team for 15 seasons before retiring in 1997.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • In Cairo, two Egyptian sources said Hamas had agreed to several contentious points, including the handover of weapons, but had requested changes regarding the definition of the infrastructure to be dismantled, adding more talks were underway.
    Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixate. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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