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
Inspired by the notorious Parker-Hulme murder case, the film examines the dangerously obsessive friendship between two teenage girls — Winslet as Juliet Hulme and Melanie Lynskey, also in her film debut, as Pauline Parker — which culminates in the premeditated murder of Parker's mother.
—
Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
If Wuthering Heights wasn’t on your English class syllabus, expect an obsessive, haunting love story that portrays the extremes of desire.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
For some with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), they may be distressed by the prospect of germs or how foods are prepared.
—Dr. Ellen S. Rome, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
It was established in 1923 by founder Shinjiro Torii as the first venue dedicated to crafting Japanese whisky with the obsessive attention to detail that has made the spirit beloved worldwide.
—Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
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Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
If Wuthering Heights wasn’t on your English class syllabus, expect an obsessive, haunting love story that portrays the extremes of desire.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025
For some with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), they may be distressed by the prospect of germs or how foods are prepared.
—Dr. Ellen S. Rome, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
It was established in 1923 by founder Shinjiro Torii as the first venue dedicated to crafting Japanese whisky with the obsessive attention to detail that has made the spirit beloved worldwide.
—Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessive. Accessed 3 Jan. 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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