obsess
[uh b-ses]
- to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally: Suspicion obsessed him.
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- to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something.
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Origin of obsess
Synonyms
See more synonyms for obsess on Thesaurus.com1. possess, control, haunt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for obsessing
Contemporary Examples
Apparently Kukucuva had been obsessing about the break-up for some time.
Alleged Murderer Shot Her Millionaire Ex and Escaped in Gold HummerBarbie Latza Nadeau
April 11, 2014
Stop tweeting, texting, blogging, watching cable news, and obsessing about polls, lost planes, and focus group-driven politicians.
I'm sure that the web will spend most of this week obsessing over the more supernatural elements of Sunday's finale.
Yes, obsessing about problems is itself like a symptom of anxiety and generally not productive.
A Q&A with Scott Stossel, Author of ‘My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind’Jesse Singal
February 20, 2014
To recap: the FCC spent over eight years obsessing over punishing those responsible for Nipplegate.
Super Bowl’s ‘Nipplegate’ Fiasco 10 Years Later: The Pop Diva, the Boob, and the OutrageMarlow Stern
February 1, 2014
Historical Examples
It seemed as if a cloud was in my brain, obsessing me at all times.
The Trail of '98Robert W. Service
The first obsessing spell had given place to this—it was good to be so loved.
The Woman GivesOwen Johnson
He hoped by these occupations to free himself from his obsessing thoughts of Vera.
The PrecipiceIvan Goncharov
The obsessing aim of many mothers is to "harden" their children.
Feminism and Sex-ExtinctionArabella Kenealy
Such thoughts were obsessing, also, the parson of the parish.
The Soul of Susan YellamHorace Annesley Vachell
obsess
- (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
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin obsessus besieged, past participle of obsidēre, from ob- in front of + sedēre to sit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for obsessing
obsess
v.
c.1500, "to besiege," from Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidere "watch closely; besiege, occupy; stay, remain, abide" literally "sit opposite to," from ob "against" (see ob-) + sedere "sit" (see sedentary). Of evil spirits, "to haunt," from 1530s. Psychological sense is 20c. Related: Obsessed; obsessing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper