Synonyms

obsess

American

[uhb-ses] / əbˈsɛs /

verb (used with object)

to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally.

Suspicion obsessed him.

Synonyms:

haunt, control, possess

verb (used without object)

to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something.

obsess British

/ əbˈsɛs /

verb

(tr; when passive, foll by with or by) to preoccupy completely; haunt
(intr; usually foll by on or over) to worry neurotically or obsessively; brood

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

obsessingly adverb
obsessor noun

Etymology

Origin of obsess

1495–1505; < Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidēre to occupy, frequent, besiege, equivalent to ob- ob- + -sid ( ēre ) combining form of sedēre to sit ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A few years later, we were obsessed with Twilight and debating whether we were Team Edward or Team Jacob.

From Literature

Lloyd took the most valuable shot in basketball, the one that his peers spend their entire lives obsessing over—and decided to ignore it completely.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is obsessed with popular media and showbiz and the shabby values they embody.

From Salon

In 1972, Dea became obsessed with Stewart after hearing him sing a trio of Motown hits on an old demo tape.

From The Wall Street Journal

Finding another body part to obsess about is key as consumers otherwise cut back on multistep skincare routines—a trend dubbed “skinimalism.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023