fixated; fixating
1
: to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging
2
: to focus one's gaze on
3
: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification
1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively
2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development
Examples of fixate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Media Focus: European media fixates on companies, not individuals.
—
Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Many 20-year-olds during this time were fixated on their beepers, prepping for college and sporting stonewashed denim overalls or the Starter jacket of their favorite sports team.
—Tabius McCoy, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2025
From the earliest days of military flight, defense theorists were fixated on the simple, intriguing proposition that airpower could win wars independently by breaking morale and destroying an enemy’s war-waging capacity.
—Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025
Prominent politicians felt more comfortable insisting that the hikes should remedy the gaping holes Europe currently has in capability, rather than fixating on a percentage.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fixate
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Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Many 20-year-olds during this time were fixated on their beepers, prepping for college and sporting stonewashed denim overalls or the Starter jacket of their favorite sports team.
—Tabius McCoy, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2025
From the earliest days of military flight, defense theorists were fixated on the simple, intriguing proposition that airpower could win wars independently by breaking morale and destroying an enemy’s war-waging capacity.
—Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025
Prominent politicians felt more comfortable insisting that the hikes should remedy the gaping holes Europe currently has in capability, rather than fixating on a percentage.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fixate
Cite this Entry
“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fixate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fixate
verb
fix·ate
ˈfik-ˌsāt 
fixated; fixating
1
: to focus one's gaze on
2
: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification
1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention
an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development
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