as in impulsive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
intrigued by the man's obsessive counting of everyday objects
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Recent Examples of obsessive
Our study shows that obsessive passion cuts the chances of forming sustainable relationships through networking by 17%.
—
Sarah Maokosy, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
So that’s kind of why so many artists are obsessive with hustling, with always being on the road or always being in the studio.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Watch out for obsessive thoughts or burnout tendencies… Scorpio transits can push you to overdo, but your body will thank you for slowing down.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Sep. 2025
So much of the unlikely story is about Lightfoot’s obsessive attention to detail and commitment to getting the story right, which resulted in a classic ballad that has helped keep the ship’s memory alive.
—John U. Bacon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Sarah Maokosy, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
So that’s kind of why so many artists are obsessive with hustling, with always being on the road or always being in the studio.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Watch out for obsessive thoughts or burnout tendencies… Scorpio transits can push you to overdo, but your body will thank you for slowing down.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Sep. 2025
So much of the unlikely story is about Lightfoot’s obsessive attention to detail and commitment to getting the story right, which resulted in a classic ballad that has helped keep the ship’s memory alive.
—John U. Bacon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsessive
Adjective
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Finally, as ever, the potential for rash, impulsive decisions with disastrous long-term consequences is never out of mind with this franchise.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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When one patient, a new mother experiencing postpartum depression, commits an impulsive, desperate act, Linda is forced to contend with her own physically and emotionally unavailable husband.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Reasons for dogs to start barking include illness or injury, territorial response, acting as an alarm, attention seeking, greeting, compulsive, frustration or separation anxiety.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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GLP-1s for Addiction Soon after GLP-1s became available for diabetes and then weight loss, users began anecdotally reporting fewer cravings for things like cigarettes and alcohol and less desire to engage in compulsive activities like shopping or gambling.—
Becky Upham,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsessive. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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