FIXATING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

fixating

verb

present participle of fixate

as in staring

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 fixating Lewis Carroll’s fairy tale would serve as a psychological refuge and childhood obsession for Cathy as a young girl, fixating on the idea of drinking a potion to shrink so that no one can see her or reach her. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Cancer Nostalgia for former flames or fixating on someone else’s expectations can keep you from genuine romantic fulfillment. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 But fixating on carbon in this way carries an unintended consequence. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 For more advice on how to stop fixating on your body image, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 The ear popping and discomfort caused by changing cabin pressure may be completely normal, but knowing that doesn’t necessarily stop you from fixating on it. — Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 Robbins recommends watching trends over weeks and months rather than fixating on last night’s number. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 This move also reveals more about billionaire philanthropy than only fixating on the tax issue. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 July 2026 Next year’s draft is also why there’s no point in fixating on wins and losses this season. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixating

Verb

Instead of everybody facing one direction staring at the DJ, Savage wants the environment to be about the ambiance, the music, and the people in the space, not just who’s playing.

— Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
The black-and-white illustration showed a mother kneeling on the frothing waves’ surface, staring into the face of her naked infant as the Virgin Mary towered above them both, attended by angels circling her head.

— Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of staring

Verb

Despite gazing at the ghostly presence in full, Bela’s parents don’t seem all that spooked, even when the young girl is tossed around like a rag doll during an anniversary gathering at their home.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
The rooms Each of Jumeirah Al Naseem's 430 rooms comes with a generous balcony or terrace gazing over the resort grounds, or up at the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of gazing

Verb

Such an approach runs the risk of gawking at an unfamiliar people, their hegemonies and their ways of life, even with the best intentions.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
On most days the Jewel House in the Tower of London is packed with tourists gawking at the fabled British Crown Jewels.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of gawking

Verb

That video appears to show a black bear standing on top of a garbage truck and peering over the edge, but does not show how the bear got there or escaped the situation.

— Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026
Outside, the sun was shining brightly, a crowd had gathered, and even Carmen Machi (who received the National Film Award at this festival) was peering out from the hotel’s rooftop.

— Amaia Odriozola, Vanity Fair, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of peering

Verb

Minute by minute Later on Wednesday, investors will be closely watching the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting in September.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Mark won the Met Mile at Belmont Park—a prestigious Grade 1 race, the highest level of thoroughbred competition—with the long-shot horse, and watching his brother succeed brought a rush of emotion.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of watching

Verb

New Orleans star Scott Bakula is eying a return to CBS with another procedural drama, which is in early development at the network.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Repeatable blueprints are emerging, and athletes eyeing a second career as Hollywood moguls would be wise to focus their efforts in one of these directions.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of eyeing

Verb

In observing the data, the chart analyst wrote that the median time remaining before a cycle reached its peak was 13 months, which suggests 2027 could be the final leg of the run.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
In the late 1700s, British scientists ran bold experiments on thermoregulation, subjecting themselves (and a dog) to a piping hot room and observing that — unlike the steak and eggs accompanying them — their own bodies did not cook.

— Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of observing

Verb

That year, Advance withdrew two property tax measures that would have cut taxes and blown gaping holes in government budgets after reaching a deal with state officials that resulted in another special session delivering property tax relief.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
The bay facing the western shore of Newfoundland is the mouth—the gaping estuary—of the Saint Lawrence, Newfoundland on the chart detached and apparently drifting out to sea.

— Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026