as in stared
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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Dissimilar Words
as in obsessed
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fixated
Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The growing problem — fueled, in part, by the increasing popularity of women’s sports and the easy access fixated strangers have to celebrities through social media — is not confined to a particular age, sport or league.
—Carson Kessler, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Since at least the 1980s, movie studios have been fixated on catering to an audience of teenage boys.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fixated
Verb
Senior leaders get fixated on what is happening in their world, but taking time to understand the experiences further down the organizations provide great insights into experiences across the organization.
—Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The growing problem — fueled, in part, by the increasing popularity of women’s sports and the easy access fixated strangers have to celebrities through social media — is not confined to a particular age, sport or league.
—Carson Kessler, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
That powerful sense of smell could explain why the dog in the TikTok video may have been fixated on a wall.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Since at least the 1980s, movie studios have been fixated on catering to an audience of teenage boys.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fixated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixated
Verb
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Firefighters batter Stephen Cullen stared up at Dullaghan from the plate with a frown on his face before giving the fan a thumbs down.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Cali stared at him, then reached for one of his beers.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And one of her own star graduate students is so obsessed with her that even Frederik points it out with annoyance.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Too often managers and employees, alike, become obsessed about ratings and completely neglect setting meaningful goals.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The model could be seen holding up her bouquet as Westwick gazed lovingly at her.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But this is not the first time Jake has been eyed by authorities for alleged crimes against his children.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Buttigieg currently lives in northern Michigan with his husband Chasten and two kids, and is being eyed as a potential frontrunner for the Democrats in the 2028 presidential election.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The couple considered renting out the storefront portion of the building while simultaneously toying with the idea of opening a business of their own.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Seattle coach Mike Macdonald considered going for it on fourth-and-1 from the 19-yard line but instead opted for a field goal.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Lincoln Nautilus is an underappreciated contender in the luxury midsize SUV market, part of a brand that seems tired, itself part of an automaker that seems perpetually distracted, itself part of an automotive ecosystem that is awash in luxury midsize SUVs from very, very tough competitors.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
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In 1980, when Iraq’s president, Saddam Hussein, seized oil fields on the Iranian border, under the assumption that Iran was too distracted to object, Iran saw an opportunity to pivot to fighting external enemies.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Panayos peered through the viewfinder down the first-base line.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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His right eye peered into the viewfinder.—
David Perlmutt,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As police secured the area with crime scene tape, distraught family members began arriving at the scene late Sunday night, according to police dispatch audio.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The mother thanked officers and ran from the apartment, distraught and inconsolable.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fixated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixated. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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