obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈse-shən 
əb-
1
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling
broadly
: compelling motivation
an obsession with profits
has an obsession with gambling
2
: something that causes an obsession
Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.
obsessionally
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of obsession in a Sentence
He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.
She has an obsession about cleanliness.
Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.
Money has become an obsession for him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Opponent Kamala Harris' campaign—which has repeatedly mocked Trump's obsession with crowd size during the 2024 election cycle—shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of the partially empty 7,200-seat venue.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
This absurd claim is an extension of their relentless obsession to remove checks and balances within our government.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
While streaming platforms like APMC and Netflix demonstrate the power of customer obsession, the real challenge lies in ensuring that every team member—not just those in customer success—is invested in the customer experience.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Across the country, Adler writes, the third degree arose as a response to a real rise in crime in the early twentieth century—and a media obsession with flashy crimes like bank robberies and anarchist bombings.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obsession 
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
This absurd claim is an extension of their relentless obsession to remove checks and balances within our government.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
While streaming platforms like APMC and Netflix demonstrate the power of customer obsession, the real challenge lies in ensuring that every team member—not just those in customer success—is invested in the customer experience.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Across the country, Adler writes, the third degree arose as a response to a real rise in crime in the early twentieth century—and a media obsession with flashy crimes like bank robberies and anarchist bombings.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obsession
Articles Related to obsession
Dictionary Entries Near obsession
Cite this Entry
“Obsession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsession. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈsesh-ən
əb-
: a disturbing concern with an idea or feeling that cannot be put out of mind even when it is seen to be unreasonable
also
: such a thought or feeling
Medical Definition
obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb-
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling
also
: something that causes such preoccupation compare compulsion, phobia
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