fixate

verb

fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt How to pronounce fixate (audio)
fixated; fixating
Synonyms of fixatenext

intransitive verb

1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively
… he was fixating on the airport in the distance, trying to find the assigned runway.—Richard L. Collins
… the tourist mind tended to fixate on ice cream cones …—T. Coraghessan Boyle
2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development

transitive verb

1
: to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging
2
: to focus one's gaze on
3
: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

Examples of fixate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The framework pushes families to think about how digital experiences fit into a teen’s overall well-being rather than fixating on a daily hour count. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 For the past couple of months, the Editorial Board and a veritable horde of guest columnists have been fixated on the mayor and his stance on Israel. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026 Lewis Carroll’s fairy tale would serve as a psychological refuge and childhood obsession for Cathy as a young girl, fixating on the idea of drinking a potion to shrink so that no one can see her or reach her. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 While national attention has fixated on the fight for control of Congress, governorships will be important heading into a wide open presidential election in 2028. — Ruth Igielnik, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fixate

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from fixation, in part as translation of German fixieren

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fixate was in 1885

Rhymes for fixate

See All Rhymes for fixate

Browse Nearby Words

fixable
fixate
fixated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fixate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

fixate

verb
fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt How to pronounce fixate (audio)
fixated; fixating

transitive verb

1
: to focus one's gaze on
2
: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention
an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him—The Journal of the American Medical Association
2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development

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