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

Synonyms

• besetting
• compulsive
• driven
• impulsive
• obsessional

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 chef, Travis Lett, was obsessive about nearly everything—produce, sourcing, seasonality, herbs, spices, the chewiness of a hunk of sourdough or a pizza crust—and this obsessiveness resulted in a restaurant that was more or less flawless. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025

According to those close to Selena, Saldívar began to show obsessive behavior. —Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Anxiety and depression: The fixation on having the perfect body can cause significant stress, leading to obsessive thoughts and constant worry over working out and food intake. —Alex Vance, Parents, 24 Mar. 2025

Franny’s devoted to careful, even obsessive statistical reporting on each new set of innings. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsess + -ive

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing obsessive

• obsessive-compulsive
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

Rhymes for obsessive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• impressive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive
• regressive

Kids 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