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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Recent Examples of fixating
The trio regrouped with nearly a dozen other musicians in the studio, fixating on improvisation.
—
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
While old-school tactics still proliferate, research by many institutions shows that the principles generally deliver better workplaces, happier customers, and superior long-term profits—paradoxically, by not fixating on profits.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the New York Times, Schmidt—yes that same guy who was talking up AGI in April—urged Silicon Valley to stop fixating on superhuman AI, warning that the obsession distracts from building useful technology.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Some lottery players take their time carefully picking their tickets, fixating on the right set of numbers.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Europe is right to increase defense spending, but fixating on defense budgets alone can obscure important decisions about how to best spend the money.
—Michael E. O’Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2025
Intentionally or not, some people missed the point, fixating on whether Jews could accurately be called Semites or insisting that Arabs were also Semites — given that Arabic, like Hebrew, is a Semitic language — and therefore couldn’t be considered antisemitic.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
For example, instead of fixating on the specifics of an algorithm, focus on how the AI solution will achieve a specific business objective, such as reducing processing times by 20% or improving customer satisfaction scores.
—Navdeep Malik, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
This reviewer loves a good montage, and these ones brought it back to acting instead of fixating too much on the year’s films and TV (which still had plenty of opportunity to shine).
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
While old-school tactics still proliferate, research by many institutions shows that the principles generally deliver better workplaces, happier customers, and superior long-term profits—paradoxically, by not fixating on profits.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the New York Times, Schmidt—yes that same guy who was talking up AGI in April—urged Silicon Valley to stop fixating on superhuman AI, warning that the obsession distracts from building useful technology.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Some lottery players take their time carefully picking their tickets, fixating on the right set of numbers.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Europe is right to increase defense spending, but fixating on defense budgets alone can obscure important decisions about how to best spend the money.
—Michael E. O’Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2025
Intentionally or not, some people missed the point, fixating on whether Jews could accurately be called Semites or insisting that Arabs were also Semites — given that Arabic, like Hebrew, is a Semitic language — and therefore couldn’t be considered antisemitic.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025
For example, instead of fixating on the specifics of an algorithm, focus on how the AI solution will achieve a specific business objective, such as reducing processing times by 20% or improving customer satisfaction scores.
—Navdeep Malik, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
This reviewer loves a good montage, and these ones brought it back to acting instead of fixating too much on the year’s films and TV (which still had plenty of opportunity to shine).
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixating
Verb
-
When you're stuck staring at a blank page, your brain fills the space with doubt.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Gen Z is staring up from the bottom of the corporate ladder, but with AI job automation and economic headwinds, the prospect of landing a job—let alone climbing the greasy pole—is more daunting than ever.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In February, the expectant mother shared several snaps from their engagement on Instagram, including a picture of them gazing in each other's eyes and one of Bowen putting her veil over Zuckerman's head.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Jämsén sees this series as being about gazing at the water, rather than being glued to a large screen or cocktail bar inside.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the cringe-comedy antics of the original NBC series landed far better in Season 3 than in Season 1, once audiences began to truly love the characters instead of just gawking at them.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Nunn has a divided audience, as the Baddies show is fueled with drama, with Jerry Springer style fights to keep viewers gawking.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In a picture released by the Shin Bet, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Netanyahu’s chief of staff are seen peering over his shoulders.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
That hasn’t stopped passers-by from peering through the windows.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sip cocktails, enjoy craft beers, or grab casual bites while watching every round, punch, and knockout in vivid detail.—
Nasha Smith,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
More daring vacationers can rent kayaks or hop on a whale-watching excursion, Sunset said.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store after eyeing them first on a little screen.—
Libby Page,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Despite modest online traction and a vocal fanbase for his solo work, breaking free from a long-running TV persona — especially one as iconic as Archie Andrews — is a familiar challenge for actors eyeing to seriously break into a new field like music.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Netzah Yehuda Battalion, formerly Nahal Haredi, enables Haredi men to serve as combat soldiers while observing strict religious practices.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Third-party imitation involves observing interactions between two individuals then faithfully copying those interactions.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Our very optimism—our very Dream—has permitted half a century of declining upward mobility and gaping inequality.—
Alice Lassman,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
-
But there are also lots of question marks, including a gaping social divide between those who have and have not taken up arms against Russia.—
Tamar Jacoby,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fixating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fixating. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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