as in attracts
to hold one's attention to an extreme degree
The TV show obsessed me so much that I was up all night watching.
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Recent Examples of obsesses
As if what delights and obsesses us must have a purpose.
—
Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Much of Muscle Man really is plotless—Harold steals a student’s backpack, goes to a department meeting, then fits in a workout—but Casey is a common thread, as Harold often obsesses about securing his approval.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Page Six of the New York Post predictably leaps on every Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift nugget, obsesses on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, and likes reminding readers whenever Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles are holding hands in a Brooklyn bar.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
The band’s manager obsesses over social-media impressions.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Much of Muscle Man really is plotless—Harold steals a student’s backpack, goes to a department meeting, then fits in a workout—but Casey is a common thread, as Harold often obsesses about securing his approval.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Page Six of the New York Post predictably leaps on every Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift nugget, obsesses on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, and likes reminding readers whenever Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles are holding hands in a Brooklyn bar.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
The band’s manager obsesses over social-media impressions.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsesses
Verb
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Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture within each hair fiber, glycerin locks in hydration while smoothing the cuticle, and dimethicone helps detangle and create a sleek, polished finish.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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Offering lucrative salaries attracts coaches who will ideally lead to winning teams.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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It’s set in the early 80s, which is a period that fascinates me.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
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Ange Postecoglou fascinates me.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Science fiction intrigues me a lot.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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This is a beautiful week to plan a trip, take a course, or follow a philosophical rabbit hole that intrigues you.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Because the books cover the story of the Ozarks region from prehistoric times to the 21st century, readers are likely to find a little something about any part of regional history that interests them.—
Becca Martin-Brown,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
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Outside of journalism what interests you?—
jsonline.com,
jsonline.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsesses. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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