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
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
Annie, who was abandoned by her mother, fixates on the idea of finding her once again.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Her character, Agnes, is introduced to these ideas after connecting with Peter, a Gulf War veteran who fixates on a bug problem in her hotel room as part of a larger theory about surveillance.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Who would blame them for assuming that a woman who fixates on where her novels are placed at an airport bookstore cares about money and material things?
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
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
Annie, who was abandoned by her mother, fixates on the idea of finding her once again.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Her character, Agnes, is introduced to these ideas after connecting with Peter, a Gulf War veteran who fixates on a bug problem in her hotel room as part of a larger theory about surveillance.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Who would blame them for assuming that a woman who fixates on where her novels are placed at an airport bookstore cares about money and material things?
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixates
Verb
-
One character gazes out and tries to make a decision.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
-
And Sylvie, who still gazes with utmost tenderness at a black-and-white photograph, taken during her time abroad, of a nameless wailing Russian child, has permanently abandoned her own daughter by refusing to visit her.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
There are countless points during Body of Work, the new hour-long behemoth from Edward Skeletrix, where the multi-hyphenate artist stares dead into the proverbial camera.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
15 May 2026
-
But less than three minutes into the conversation, Earl leaps off Maslany’s lap, freezes in place and stares ahead.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The Kansas City Chiefs' 2026-2027 schedule dropped on May 14 and Swifties are already scanning the calendar — including ticket sites — for home games as the superstar eyes a potential return to Arrowhead Stadium for a fourth season.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Lehmann considers the contested history of Anne Boleyn, the outlandish accusations against her, and the ways in which her image has been erased and changed over time.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be its eternal, undivided capital.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
At one point, Lucy’s very French, somewhat distant mother Eloise (Catherine Deneuve, impactful in her few scenes) observes that Lucy has done the one thing that’s worse for a female artist than having children, and that’s moving to the countryside.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
Xu observes that in several cases, individuals who initially led pilot AI projects later transitioned into broader strategic roles as initiatives expanded.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
If the person who spoke up sees their truth acknowledged and then watches nothing change, the interaction didn't build safety.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Now 78, Mauldin watches the news and sees videos and pictures of children being tear-gassed again — not by local police in 1965, but by federal immigration officers in 2026.—
Maya Miller,
ProPublica,
15 May 2026
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
Verb
-
Come evening, the nearby port lighthouse still blinks its green warning signal.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2026
-
The executive blinks, not computing the correction.—
Ryan O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fixates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixates. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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