as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
had an obsessional need to be liked by everybody
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Recent Examples of obsessional
But obsessional online culture has sought to answer questions of origin rather than waving them off.
—
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsessional
Adjective
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This Swedish brand has built an empire that’s all about obsessive engineering, never gimmicks.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
25 Feb. 2026
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Her mother has suspected as much; this is the reason behind her obsessive worrying.—
Elaine Blair,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Just Friends By Haley Pham Blair and Declan were once inseparable best friends whose brief, impulsive romance ended in heartbreak and silence after one shattering moment.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
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After getting two appointments right (Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo), Marinakis has reverted to type, with impulsive and erratic decision-making having undermined Forest’s campaign from the start.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obsessional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsessional. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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