What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clinginess
Example
She has a habit of clinging to her partner and always wanting to be by their side. [cling: verb]
Example
His clinginess often leads to arguments and feelings of suffocation in the relationship. [clinginess: noun]
obsessiveness
Example
He has an obsessiveness with cleanliness and spends hours cleaning his apartment every day. [obsess: verb]
Example
Her obsessiveness with her appearance led her to undergo multiple cosmetic surgeries. [obsessiveness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clinginess is a more commonly used term in everyday language, especially when referring to relationships and emotional dependence. Obsessiveness is less common but can be used in a broader context to describe fixation or preoccupation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clinginess and obsessiveness?
Both clinginess and obsessiveness are informal terms. They are typically used in casual conversations or informal writing rather than in formal or academic contexts.
