obsess

American  

[uhb-ses] / əbˈsɛs /

verb (used with object)

1. 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)

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

obsess British  

/ əbˈsɛs /

verb

1. (tr; when passive, foll by with or by) to preoccupy completely; haunt

2. (intr; usually foll by on or over) to worry neurotically or obsessively; brood

---

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

Quiet, unassuming, even shy, particularly in public, McSweeney was known for being obsessed by winning, constantly fearful of complacency and ever aware of Labour's track record of losing far more elections than it wins.

From BBC

“Investors are becoming less obsessed with a handful of stocks.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"It's not that I love skiing, it's that I'm obsessed with it. And I've lived and breathed this moment for the last year."

From Barron's

“This chasm between the game and its audience,” Mr. Klosterman writes, “is so vast that most people obsessed with football have no firsthand perspective on the object of their desire.”

From The Wall Street Journal

I'm getting an early preview of his plans for the new artwork - and, as we begin the rainy - but stunning - 20 minute climb, he tells me he is "obsessed".

From BBC

Related Words

• beset
• consume
• dominate
• engross
• grip
• harass
• haunt
• infatuate
• torment