obsess

[əbˈsɛs]

obsess Definition

  • 1to preoccupy or fill the mind of someone continually, intrusively, and to a troubling extent
  • 2to haunt or trouble persistently
  • 3to be excessively preoccupied with something

Using obsess: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "obsess" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    He was obsessed with finding the perfect gift for his girlfriend.

  • Example

    She couldn't stop obsessing over her weight.

  • Example

    The idea of failure obsessed him.

  • Example

    The memory of the accident still obsesses her.

obsess Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for obsess

Idioms Using obsess

  • to be extremely concerned with keeping things clean and tidy

    Example

    My roommate is obsessed with cleanliness and always cleans the apartment.

  • to be extremely focused on gaining or maintaining power

    Example

    The dictator was obsessed with power and would do anything to keep it.

  • obsessed with success

    to be extremely focused on achieving success

    Example

    He was obsessed with success and worked long hours to achieve his goals.

Phrases with obsess

  • to think about something constantly and to an excessive degree

    Example

    She was obsessing over the mistake she made at work.

  • to be preoccupied with something to an excessive degree

    Example

    He was obsessing with the idea of becoming famous.

  • to be constantly worried or concerned about something

    Example

    She was obsessing about the possibility of losing her job.

Origins of obsess

from Latin 'obsessus', meaning 'besieged'

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Summary: obsess in Brief

To 'obsess' [əbˈsɛs] means to preoccupy or fill the mind of someone continually, intrusively, and to a troubling extent. It can refer to being excessively preoccupied with something, as in 'She couldn't stop obsessing over her weight,' or to haunting or troubling someone persistently, as in 'The memory of the accident still obsesses her.' 'Obsess' extends into phrases like 'obsess over,' 'obsess with,' and 'obsess about,' denoting excessive thinking or worrying about something.