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
But the obsessive, granular restaurant news era arguably starts when Grub Street debuts in 2006 and its editor, Josh Ozersky, aims to post news every hour.
—
New York Times, 7 May 2025
Brian by Jeremy Cooper Brian is a thirtysomething council worker in London who has always led a solitary life, one marked by an obsessive adherence to routine.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 May 2025
The actress told the festival audience that just prior to filming, director Paul Feig approached her with a new concept: Emily being a romantic interest of her obsessive sister Charity, also played by Lively.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 May 2025
These interests tend to become obsessive, with the need to know every fact and focus on the smallest details.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
New York Times, 7 May 2025
Brian by Jeremy Cooper Brian is a thirtysomething council worker in London who has always led a solitary life, one marked by an obsessive adherence to routine.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 May 2025
The actress told the festival audience that just prior to filming, director Paul Feig approached her with a new concept: Emily being a romantic interest of her obsessive sister Charity, also played by Lively.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 May 2025
These interests tend to become obsessive, with the need to know every fact and focus on the smallest details.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 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 15 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share