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
Durant, forever the hoops obsessive, simply sees the All-Star Game in a different light.
—
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
However, Robbie’s performance keeps Cathy’s childish nature intact with many obsessive outbursts.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Brontë’s story is about revenge, obsessive love and social class.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Shot in high-contrast black and white with obsessive attention to design, the film traces the unavoidable costs imposed on a family for the fleeting brush with artistic transcendence, however sporadic.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
However, Robbie’s performance keeps Cathy’s childish nature intact with many obsessive outbursts.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Brontë’s story is about revenge, obsessive love and social class.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Shot in high-contrast black and white with obsessive attention to design, the film traces the unavoidable costs imposed on a family for the fleeting brush with artistic transcendence, however sporadic.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsessive
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
Adjective
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Employees at the company, then known as Facebook, proposed a public audit of design features that might contribute to compulsive use of the platform in the fall of 2018, citing growing public concern that tech companies were intentionally manipulating users, according to the documents.—
CNN,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Employees at the company, then known as Facebook, proposed a public audit of design features that might contribute to compulsive use of the platform in the fall of 2018, citing growing public concern that tech companies were intentionally manipulating users, according to the documents.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But obsessional online culture has sought to answer questions of origin rather than waving them off.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsessive. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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