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
-
The first photo of the two-slide carousel shows Prince Harry holding Lilibet in his arms while Meghan, her arm on her husband, stares lovingly at her daughter.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
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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
-
In the Africa section, the zoo eyes a revamp of the hippo and crocodile habitats and at least one additional exhibit.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday as the franchise eyes its first NBA Finals berth since 1999.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Rehmeier, who’s already shot an unannounced third film with Gallner, considers his performance in the nearly unanimously praised Caroline to be reminiscent of Paul Newman or Steve McQueen.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
-
Ed Simon considers Allen Ginsberg on his 100th birthday.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Overall, Maas observes the mood among insiders was better at this year’s event compared to last year, when the games sector was hit by layoffs and disappointing releases.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
9 June 2026
-
The expansion comes as the country observes the 250th anniversary of its founding.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Top talent watches whether your values show up in the moments that actually cost something.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Not just someone who’s there, who’s a bystander, and who just watches things happen.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 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
-
The mental image most people carry into a salary conversation is two people on opposite sides of a table, locked in a staring contest until one person blinks.—
Kwame Christian Esq,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
An engineer by training, Massie designed several patents — some on display in his office — as well as a debt calculator that blinks in flashing red numerals as the nation’s deficits pile up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fixates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixates. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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