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.

And while investors obsess over semiconductor stocks and hyperscalers, a quieter capital rotation is under way.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Coach got a boost a few years back when Gen Z consumers began to obsess over relics of the Y2K era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

It’s the least visible part of my body, yet I’ve had good reason lately to obsess about my gluteus maximus, my derrière, my whole imperfect situation back there.

From Slate • Feb. 22, 2026

Rather than obsess about Armageddon, I submerged myself in routine.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

We spent every single day together and let ourselves obsess over how much fun prom would be once Evan agreed to be my date.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

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