obsessive

adjective

ob·ses·sive äb-ˈse-siv

əb-

Synonyms of obsessive

: tending to cause obsession

: excessive often to an unreasonable degree

an obsessive interest

: of, relating to, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession

obsessive noun

obsessively adverb

obsessiveness noun

Examples of obsessive in a Sentence

Many dancers are obsessive about their weight. He is an obsessive workaholic who never stops thinking about his job. an obsessive interest in space travel The new therapy is supposed to help people control their obsessive thoughts.

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.

Some managers are detail-oriented, to the point of being obsessive about them. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Wanda’s obsessive drive to succeed ignites her darker side and self-destructive tendencies that led to her drug addiction. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Yayoi Kusama, whose obsessive repetitions of dots and nets became a means of expressing infinity, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary art worldwide, died on August 14 of multiple organ failure at a hospital in Tokyo. — Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026 That’s the stuff that drives obsessive fans, and those obsessions need to be fed, regularly and well. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obsessive

Word History

Etymology

obsess + -ive

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of obsessive was in 1897

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessive. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

obsessive

adjective

ob·ses·sive äb-ˈses-iv

əb-

: of, relating to, having, or being an obsession

obsessively adverb

Medical Definition

obsessive

1 of 2 adjective

ob·ses·sive äb-ˈses-iv, əb-

: of, relating to, causing, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession

obsessive behavior

obsessively adverb

obsessiveness noun

obsessive

2 of 2 noun

: an obsessive individual

obsessive

adjective

Synonyms of obsessive

Examples of obsessive in a Sentence

Word History

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Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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obsessive

adjective

Synonyms of obsessive

Examples of obsessive in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing obsessive

Rhymes for obsessive

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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