FIXATING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

fixating

verb

present participle of fixate

as in staring

to look at or think about something constantly; to give all of your attention to something

—usually + on or upon The cat was fixated on a small hole in the wall. Why do journalists fixate on scandals?

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of fixating 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 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 Cancer Nostalgia for former flames or fixating on someone else’s expectations can keep you from genuine romantic fulfillment. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 But fixating on carbon in this way carries an unintended consequence. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 For more advice on how to stop fixating on your body image, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 The ear popping and discomfort caused by changing cabin pressure may be completely normal, but knowing that doesn’t necessarily stop you from fixating on it. — Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 Robbins recommends watching trends over weeks and months rather than fixating on last night’s number. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 This move also reveals more about billionaire philanthropy than only fixating on the tax issue. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fixating

Verb

Before ChatGPT came on the scene, chipmakers were staring at a post-COVID chip glut.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Taken roughly two decades after her prison ordeal, the image reveals a still formidable figure, a woman unbroken by countless trials, staring straight into the camera’s lens.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of staring

Verb

Frequent elections, impatient constituents and the unrelenting pressure of the news cycle do not provide rewards for gazing into crystal balls or enacting visionary policies whose benefits may only be evident years later.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Calvo, meanwhile, sits at a desk in his hotel room, gazing into the camera lens placidly while idly sketching on a sheet of paper.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of gazing

Verb

The film opens with Tenzing as a boy, gawking at Mount Everest, which looms across the valley like Godzilla.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
On most days the Jewel House in the Tower of London is packed with tourists gawking at the fabled British Crown Jewels.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of gawking

Verb

That video appears to show a black bear standing on top of a garbage truck and peering over the edge, but does not show how the bear got there or escaped the situation.

— Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026
Outside, the sun was shining brightly, a crowd had gathered, and even Carmen Machi (who received the National Film Award at this festival) was peering out from the hotel’s rooftop.

— Amaia Odriozola, Vanity Fair, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of peering

Verb

This album was his 3-1 comeback after watching his career nearly flatline.

— Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Sitting at 2-3 and watching their defense get pushed around on a weekly basis, the entire unit gathered behind closed doors on Monday morning to air out their issues.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of watching

Verb

Autonomous vehicles are here in Denver with plans to expand even further, in fact more of these autonomous vehicle companies could be eyeing a launch in the Mile High City.

— Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Having won Beijingâ€™s agreement to halve hybrid vehicle imports, Brussels is now eyeing checks on Chinese chemicals and machinery, Politico reported.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of eyeing

Verb

In observing the data, the chart analyst wrote that the median time remaining before a cycle reached its peak was 13 months, which suggests 2027 could be the final leg of the run.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
In the late 1700s, British scientists ran bold experiments on thermoregulation, subjecting themselves (and a dog) to a piping hot room and observing that — unlike the steak and eggs accompanying them — their own bodies did not cook.

— Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of observing

Verb

After submerging himself, Jay gets entangled in the tentacles of a giant squid, and that’s when the whale, who feeds on squid, pulls both Jay and the squid into his oversize gaping mouth.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
But the death toll over the last week has exposed gaping holes in Saudi defenses.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026