obsessive
adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈse-siv 
əb-
1
a
: tending to cause obsession
b
: excessive often to an unreasonable degree
2
: of, relating to, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession
obsessive
noun
obsessively
adverb
obsessiveness
noun
Examples of obsessive in a Sentence
Many dancers are obsessive about their weight.
He is an obsessive workaholic who never stops thinking about his job.
an obsessive interest in space travel
The new therapy is supposed to help people control their obsessive thoughts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Irish actress Niamh Algar (Raised By Wolves) stars as the titular Iris Nixon, an enigmatic genius and obsessive puzzler who is recruited by the charming philanthropist Cameron McIntyre (Tom Hollander) to break a code that will unlock a dangerously powerful, world-changing piece of technology.
—
Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
George is an obsessive chronicler of his own role in history: In his study, nestled in an idyllic Hudson estate, a floor-to-ceiling shelf is filled with hundreds of black Moleskines, meticulously dated and labeled.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Henry’s awkward interpersonal interactions and obsessive behavioral patterns are both strange and familiar.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2025
That discovery leads to an obsessive quest to locate the game’s production company with Froggy intending to snag a copy and find him.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
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Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
George is an obsessive chronicler of his own role in history: In his study, nestled in an idyllic Hudson estate, a floor-to-ceiling shelf is filled with hundreds of black Moleskines, meticulously dated and labeled.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Henry’s awkward interpersonal interactions and obsessive behavioral patterns are both strange and familiar.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2025
That discovery leads to an obsessive quest to locate the game’s production company with Froggy intending to snag a copy and find him.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obsessive
adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈses-iv
əb-
: of, relating to, having, or being an obsession
obsessively
adverb
Medical Definition
obsessive
1 of 2 adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈses-iv, əb-
: of, relating to, causing, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession
obsessive behavior
obsessively
adverb
obsessiveness
noun
obsessive
2 of 2 noun
: an obsessive individual
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