obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈse-shən 
əb-
1
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling
broadly
: compelling motivation
an obsession with profits
has an obsession with gambling
2
: something that causes an obsession
Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.
obsessionally
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of obsession in a Sentence
He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.
She has an obsession about cleanliness.
Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.
Money has become an obsession for him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Now, watch Brooke Shields style her classic bombshell hair:
Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place!
—
Annie Blackman, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
Their testimony revealed his father was aware of his obsession with school shooters, and that the teenager had even discussed the Parkland shooting with his grandmother around a week before the shooting.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2024
All the noir elements are here, obsession, desire, fate, all the classic characters, visual keys and thematic threads, but reimagined, remade to explore one central question – will the youth of today cave in to conformity, or turn the world on its head?
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
He is represented by no gallery, and works in a basement in Brooklyn, from which emerges the fruits of his weird obsessions.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obsession 
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Annie Blackman, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
Their testimony revealed his father was aware of his obsession with school shooters, and that the teenager had even discussed the Parkland shooting with his grandmother around a week before the shooting.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2024
All the noir elements are here, obsession, desire, fate, all the classic characters, visual keys and thematic threads, but reimagined, remade to explore one central question – will the youth of today cave in to conformity, or turn the world on its head?
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
He is represented by no gallery, and works in a basement in Brooklyn, from which emerges the fruits of his weird obsessions.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obsession
Articles Related to obsession
Dictionary Entries Near obsession
Cite this Entry
“Obsession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsession. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈsesh-ən
əb-
: a disturbing concern with an idea or feeling that cannot be put out of mind even when it is seen to be unreasonable
also
: such a thought or feeling
Medical Definition
obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb-
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling
also
: something that causes such preoccupation compare compulsion, phobia
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