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 cars are completely disassembled and modified around the original chassis with a process driven by Singer’s obsessive attention to detail. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 1 Jan. 2025

Esther is the original feminist killjoy — acerbic, brilliant, obsessive, confrontational, deeply relatable. —Jillian Eugenios, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024

In the book, Marsh places the photographs in their historical context and discusses the clothing with an obsessive attention to detail that denim heads will enjoy. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2024

Serene, being a startup founder who’s also, naturally, working on music robots, applies obsessive logistic efforts. —Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

obsess + -ive

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing obsessive

• obsessive-compulsive
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

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