obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈse-shən 

əb-

1

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

broadly : compelling motivation

an obsession with profits

has an obsession with gambling

2

: something that causes an obsession

Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.

obsessional

äb-ˈse-sh(ə-)nəl 

əb-

adjective

obsessionally adverb

Synonyms

• fetish
• fetich
• fixation
• idée fixe
• mania
• preoccupation
• prepossession

Example Sentences

He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.

She has an obsession about cleanliness.

Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.

Money has become an obsession for him.

Recent Examples on the Web

But when a tragedy sends Dre reeling, her obsession with Ni’jah descends into something darker: a parasocial relationship that becomes inextricable from her bond with Marissa. —Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2023

The multiple Tony Award-wining tour-de-force uses witty, incisive lyrics and punchy music to examine America’s obsession with celebrity and firearms through the stories of the nation’s four successful and five would-be presidential assassins. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023

Nina’s ceaseless obsession with perfection is exacerbated by her infantilizing mother and domineering director, sending her spiraling into crippling paranoia. —Men's Health, 17 Mar. 2023

Streaming’s obsession with the best or nothing means that shows have impossible standards to live up to. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023

Though the trend is most commonly associated with the ’80s jazzercise craze, its reappearance can be credited to Gen Z’s obsession with Y2K fashion. —Sarah Maberry, ELLE, 16 Mar. 2023

If that sounds pretty far afield from pinball, there’s also a concurrent storyline about Mr. Sharpe’s obsession with the arcade game. —Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Mar. 2023

Many have said the buzz about the drug reflects the industry’s obsession with thinness. —Sara Ashley O'brien, WSJ, 13 Mar. 2023

In a wide-ranging 230 pages, Quart challenges our nation’s obsession with self-reliance. —Emi Nietfeld, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən 

əb-

: a disturbing concern with an idea or feeling that cannot be put out of mind even when it is seen to be unreasonable

also : such a thought or feeling

Medical Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb- 

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

also : something that causes such preoccupation compare compulsion, phobia

obsessional

-ˈsesh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective