as in impulsive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
intrigued by the man's obsessive counting of everyday objects
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Recent Examples of obsessive
Tour de France riders are obsessive about their equipment, including bikes, helmets, shoes and jerseys.
—
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 12 July 2025
Depression can take many forms: Some people experience it as emotional despondency, while others struggle with obsessive thoughts or a loss of pleasure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 June 2025
In fact, research shows that romantic love without the obsessive intensity of early infatuation is not only possible in long-term relationships, but strongly associated with marital satisfaction, well-being and self-esteem.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The ultralight backpacking movement, born from obsessive thru-hikers and eventually widely adopted by weekend warriors, has driven innovation in the outdoor gear industry for more than 20 years.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 12 July 2025
Depression can take many forms: Some people experience it as emotional despondency, while others struggle with obsessive thoughts or a loss of pleasure.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 June 2025
In fact, research shows that romantic love without the obsessive intensity of early infatuation is not only possible in long-term relationships, but strongly associated with marital satisfaction, well-being and self-esteem.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The ultralight backpacking movement, born from obsessive thru-hikers and eventually widely adopted by weekend warriors, has driven innovation in the outdoor gear industry for more than 20 years.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsessive
Adjective
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The vaunting acclaim the retrospective elicited seems largely unwarranted, though in several brilliant sequences scattered throughout his work, the unruly Rozier achieved an impulsive kind of mastery.—
James Quandt,
The New York Review of Books,
31 July 2025
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Jena Malone played the Bennets’ youngest daughter, Lydia Bennet, whose impulsive behavior threatens the family’s reputation.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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The First Academy was portrayed as a compulsive cheater Bridgewater is being portrayed as a compassionate martyr.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 July 2025
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Mellors’ elegant, compulsive debut novel explores the doomed relationship between lovers Cleo and Frank.—
Hattie Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsessive. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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