FIXATES Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

fixates

verb

present tense third-person singular of fixate

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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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 fixates Throughout the evacuation, Olya fixates on the fact that men aged 18 to 60 are barred from leaving, all the while wearing a ridiculous big fluffy hat that seems to protect her more from the societal meltdown around her than from the cold. — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 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 Humphreys’ broader argument is the debate fixates on the toll itself while ignoring costs and benefits absent from any E-ZPass statement—air pollution, noise, street wear. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 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 At Harvard, Jesse Eisenberg’s Mark Zuckerberg fixates on the exclusive final clubs that won’t quite accept him. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 29 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixates

Verb

An investor gazes at a share price board showing various stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on August 25, 2015.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Yan gazes intently at how the colors reflect against Pascoal’s skin, eyes and hair.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of gazes

Verb

Before the crime is committed, a construction worker stares at the perpetrator in the back of the vehicle.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
The real Cloonee sits in a chair across from me, while another stares at me from the coffee table, where there’s a copy of Cloonee’s recent DJ Mag cover.

— Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of stares

Verb

Swift is expected to plunge back through Earth’s atmosphere by year’s end, as solar storms drag its orbit lower, while Katalyst eyes future rescue attempts for other telescopes such as Hubble.

— Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The film will enter production this November in Vermont as production company GrizzlieBradFilms LLC eyes a 2028 debut.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of eyes

Verb

Is there any point at which Baier considers whether someone like Hemingway should continue to be on air?

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
That's because while the IRS generally considers a return filed on the day it is postmarked, most states require mail-in ballots to arrive by Election Day, regardless of when they were mailed or postmarked.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of considers

Verb

As PennLive observes, the $10,000 scheme is an unusual attempt by a data center developer to smooth over opposition in a section of the country which is overwhelmingly opposed to the facilities.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026
Yes, Costco is open for business today, as Columbus Day isn't among the seven holidays the discount chain observes.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of observes

Verb

Searching for Wendy in the depths of the Sephora store, Stan watches his surroundings shift from slightly off, to off, to get-me-the-hell-out-of-here off.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Michael Che watches The Sopranos about four to five times a year, all the way through.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of watches

Verb

Time blinks by Kathy Vigiano measures time by how much her youngest son, John, has grown since her husband, NYPD Detective Joseph Vigiano, was killed in the 9/11 terror attacks.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Order eggs Benedict topped with two generous heaps of caviar and no one blinks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026