as in gazes
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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Recent Examples of fixates
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
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
And interminably long campaign cycles — where media coverage fixates on the horse race and almost never engages with policy — leave voters both disengaged and underinformed.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Their history adds a third layer to the depth of Lux; Hemlocke Springs similarly fixates on religious motifs on The Apple Tree Under the Sea.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2026
The national debate on healthcare costs often fixates on single solutions.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Like Rear Window, Dial M for Murder fixates on the intersections between romance, paranoia, and curiosity.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Of course, the internet fixates on the moment, with many TikTok commenters focussing on the age difference between Aaron and his step-daughters Angelica and Jessie Jopling.
—Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
When a person fixates on a target, their retina captures visual information and sends it to the brain via the optic nerve.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 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
And interminably long campaign cycles — where media coverage fixates on the horse race and almost never engages with policy — leave voters both disengaged and underinformed.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Their history adds a third layer to the depth of Lux; Hemlocke Springs similarly fixates on religious motifs on The Apple Tree Under the Sea.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2026
The national debate on healthcare costs often fixates on single solutions.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Like Rear Window, Dial M for Murder fixates on the intersections between romance, paranoia, and curiosity.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Of course, the internet fixates on the moment, with many TikTok commenters focussing on the age difference between Aaron and his step-daughters Angelica and Jessie Jopling.
—Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
When a person fixates on a target, their retina captures visual information and sends it to the brain via the optic nerve.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixates
Verb
-
The sun sets over the bay of Cassis, a charming seaside resort near Marseille, as a young woman gazes toward the horizon.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 June 2026
-
One character gazes out and tries to make a decision.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
My wife stares at her for a moment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
But while no incriminating data or embarrassing details accompany the couple's profile, Duncan stares at their pictures as if he's seen a ghost.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
As Kamala Harris eyes a possible 2028 presidential bid, there is little outward enthusiasm among her biggest 2024 backers to fund a repeat performance, adding to uncertainty about the former vice president’s prospects in what is sure to be a crowded primary field.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Microsoft still retains its equity stake in OpenAI’s for-profit company, as that company eyes a possible IPO later this year.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And this wrenching essay from visual artist and poet Kennedy Amenya Gisege considers the unique spiritual toll that incarcerated parents face.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Crucially, the administration is also trying to avoid a fight over the payout plan, which has been deemed a political slush fund by critics, while the Senate considers Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.—
Sarah Fitzpatrick,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Fagot observes that, to digital-native children, BBMT’s puppetry may be even more enchanting than for earlier generations.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
-
Sacramento County government also observes Juneteenth.—
Kiara Adams,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Jeremiah gloats that Belly called him with her whereabouts, not Conrad.—
Sara Netzley,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Each week, the group watches a GriefShare video, then has a discussion.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Dave also listens to podcasts, watches long YouTube videos, and even participates in live-stream seminars about his favorite moments from the Battle of Antietam, or whatever.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Straitjacketed inside the inescapable present, Pearl gapes up to discover that her husband, Walker, has found her; Walker was always going to find her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fixates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixates. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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