obsession

noun

äb-ˈse-shən How to pronounce obsession (audio)
Definition of obsessionnext
as in problem
something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned her latest obsession is a movie star who she thinks is very handsome

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 obsession Many tiki fans cite a visit to the Tiki Room at Disneyland as the genesis of their obsession. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026 My latest obsession comes courtesy of the Duchess of Sussex, whose smooth, radiant complexion is thanks to this underrated foundation from the brand No Makeup Makeup. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 18 July 2026 Thirty years later, Herbert West is a brilliant, secretive surgeon still chasing his father’s obsession. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 July 2026 From the band’s home studio in Texas, Muñoz spoke with Variety about his obsession with iconic rock hooks, the secret to crafting adventurous accordion lines and the music legend who appears on Intocable’s latest album. — Ernesto Lechner, Variety, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for obsession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsession
  1. problem
  2. fascination
  3. preoccupation
  4. fixation
  5. fetish
  6. mania
  7. enthusiasm
Noun
  • That is where the building blocks of competency, problem-solving, and care for others complement and reinforce instead of competing and creating gaps.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • In the study, ChatGPT Health performed better with classic problems like a stroke or anaphylaxis, but when people downplayed symptoms, the AI tended toward a less urgent recommendation.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • That interest grew into a deeper fascination with Japanese history and culture.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • By rejecting the myth of beginning again and the idea that endings are inherently meaningful, Luiselli highlights the fascination of the middle.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of fascination
Noun
  • That preoccupation with time has also led to a long-running collaboration with Hamilton, which has worked with Nolan on several films.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • In fact, this preoccupation is the secret theme of these sun-and-sand songs.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of preoccupation
Noun
  • Trump’s fixation on Venezuela had grown since his return to office.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026
  • The American fixation on parking is only natural, according to Grabar.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of fixation
Noun
  • Tupper’s Mick, at the mercy of his brittle fetishes, may be the most believable of this quartet.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • The screen is big, the image is sharp and bright, but Nolan’s visual compositions are dull—just pictures of actors acting, without style or poetry—and his fetish for size is just bombast and vanity.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of fetish
Noun
  • Since time immemorial, demand has also fueled market manias or bubbles, as evidenced by the Tulip Mania of the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age, the South Sea Bubble of 1720 and the pump-and-dump schemes of the Roaring Twenties.
    — David Capablanca, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • It’s been a little more than a week since a stout, scrappy raccoon captured the internet's heart, and Jimothy mania is showing no signs of slowing down.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 July 2026
Definition of mania
Noun
  • The crowd skewed older, with plenty of fans who appeared decades removed from high school but sang along with the enthusiasm of teenagers.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • Costco's big changes to some parking lots The corporate honchos at Costco know all this bad parking karma can curb enthusiasm for shopping there.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of enthusiasm

Browse Nearby Words

obsessing (over)
obsession
obsessional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obsession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsession. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on obsession

Nglish: Translation of obsession for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about obsession

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