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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obsessive
By the time Eclipse was published in August 2007, the series had acquired an obsessive fandom big enough to nip at the heels of those devoted to Harry Potter or Star Wars.
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Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025
While understandable, the immediate obsessive search for the cause — whether cyberattack, software error or rare atmospheric phenomenon — missed the point.
—Kelly McKinney, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
In him, the obsessive American theme of loneliness reaches an ultimate level of expression, being accepted at last not as a blessing to be sought or a curse to be flaunted or fled, but quite simply as a man’s fate.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The film centers on Chomsky, an obsessive radio journalist who investigates the incident, uncovering a network of corruption, political manipulation and media spectacle.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025
While understandable, the immediate obsessive search for the cause — whether cyberattack, software error or rare atmospheric phenomenon — missed the point.
—Kelly McKinney, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
In him, the obsessive American theme of loneliness reaches an ultimate level of expression, being accepted at last not as a blessing to be sought or a curse to be flaunted or fled, but quite simply as a man’s fate.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The film centers on Chomsky, an obsessive radio journalist who investigates the incident, uncovering a network of corruption, political manipulation and media spectacle.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsessive
Adjective
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Although bad things do happen to him, they are often caused by his own careless and impulsive nature.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Move slowly and be careful about impulsive ideas and actions.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Balancing compulsive watchability with a touch of class, the company is still trying to break the mold while simultaneously catering to the masses.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
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Non-purging methods like compulsive fasting or excessive exercise following a meal are also sometimes diagnosed as a form of bulimia.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsessive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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