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
The ultralight backpacking movement, born from obsessive thru-hikers and eventually widely adopted by weekend warriors, has driven innovation in the outdoor gear industry for more than 20 years.
—
Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025
President Trump’s most vociferous media supporters have been in a full meltdown over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, an obsessive focus of MAGA figures over the years.
—The Editors, National Review, 16 July 2025
Hoult is a superb Luthor, a genuinely intimidating villain, and his obsessive dedication to taking down Superman is what really makes the film work.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
The answer comes quickly: In a typical moment of obsessive pique, Dennis uses lab equipment to build a coffee-brewing setup and tries to get on the teachers’ good sides by serving up their super-complicated orders.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
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Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025
President Trump’s most vociferous media supporters have been in a full meltdown over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, an obsessive focus of MAGA figures over the years.
—The Editors, National Review, 16 July 2025
Hoult is a superb Luthor, a genuinely intimidating villain, and his obsessive dedication to taking down Superman is what really makes the film work.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
The answer comes quickly: In a typical moment of obsessive pique, Dennis uses lab equipment to build a coffee-brewing setup and tries to get on the teachers’ good sides by serving up their super-complicated orders.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 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 22 Jul. 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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