obsessive
adjective
ob·ses·sive
äb-ˈse-siv 
əb-
1
a
: tending to cause obsession
b
: excessive often to an unreasonable degree
an obsessive interest
2
: of, relating to, or characterized by obsession : deriving from obsession
obsessive
noun
obsessively
adverb
obsessiveness
noun
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
Brutal, racist, obsessive detective Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) and brutal, racist, obsessive Colonel Lockjaw (Sean Penn) could be BFFs.
—
Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
For his latest documentary the German filmmaker behind Grizzly Man and Cave of Forgotten Dreams follows conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes on his obsessive quest to find the mythical ghost elephants of Lisima in the highlands of Angola.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
In the novel, Catherine (Robbie) and Heathcliff (Elordi) are cruel, obsessive, and corrosive lovers whose attraction is more warning than inspiration.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
How to stop limerence Of course, recognizing that an obsessive attachment is unhealthy usually isn’t enough to make strong feelings disappear.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
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Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
For his latest documentary the German filmmaker behind Grizzly Man and Cave of Forgotten Dreams follows conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes on his obsessive quest to find the mythical ghost elephants of Lisima in the highlands of Angola.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
In the novel, Catherine (Robbie) and Heathcliff (Elordi) are cruel, obsessive, and corrosive lovers whose attraction is more warning than inspiration.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
How to stop limerence Of course, recognizing that an obsessive attachment is unhealthy usually isn’t enough to make strong feelings disappear.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessive. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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