obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈse-shən 
əb-
1
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling
broadly
: compelling motivation
an obsession with profits
has an obsession with gambling
2
: something that causes an obsession
Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.
obsessionally
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of obsession in a Sentence
He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.
She has an obsession about cleanliness.
Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.
Money has become an obsession for him.
Recent Examples on the Web
But his hit newsletter, Today in Tabs, is an enduring obsession of the city’s media class.
—
Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Writing the Pitch Overthinking, perfectionism and fear of failure or looking foolish can drive people to pitch deck obsession.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
What blocked him, in his view, was his boss’ obsession for getting even for his ethics complaints against them.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
Experts have previously told NBC News that the desire to sleuth, which has become commonplace on the internet, is a symptom of the internet’s obsession with true crime and its desire to engage in gossip.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Then head to qz. com slash obsession to sign up for Quartz’s weekly obsession email and browse hundreds of interesting backstories.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
The increasing obsession with longevity has inspired a backlash.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
But the real obsession with prehistory began after World War II, when the collapse of Nazi Germany breathed life into three conflicting social goals that influenced public intellectuals.
—Stefanos Geroulanos, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2024
In some ways, the flaws in Back to Black are similar to the weaknesses in her late 1990s/early 2000s art: a certain facile interest in surface, an obsession with celebrity and fame that lacks insight, a pop video-deep approach to narrative.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Writing the Pitch Overthinking, perfectionism and fear of failure or looking foolish can drive people to pitch deck obsession.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
What blocked him, in his view, was his boss’ obsession for getting even for his ethics complaints against them.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
Experts have previously told NBC News that the desire to sleuth, which has become commonplace on the internet, is a symptom of the internet’s obsession with true crime and its desire to engage in gossip.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Then head to qz. com slash obsession to sign up for Quartz’s weekly obsession email and browse hundreds of interesting backstories.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2024
The increasing obsession with longevity has inspired a backlash.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
But the real obsession with prehistory began after World War II, when the collapse of Nazi Germany breathed life into three conflicting social goals that influenced public intellectuals.
—Stefanos Geroulanos, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2024
In some ways, the flaws in Back to Black are similar to the weaknesses in her late 1990s/early 2000s art: a certain facile interest in surface, an obsession with celebrity and fame that lacks insight, a pop video-deep approach to narrative.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obsession.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to obsession
Dictionary Entries Near obsession
Cite this Entry
“Obsession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsession. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈsesh-ən
əb-
: a disturbing concern with an idea or feeling that cannot be put out of mind even when it is seen to be unreasonable
also
: such a thought or feeling
Medical Definition
obsession
noun
ob·ses·sion
äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb-
: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling
also
: something that causes such preoccupation compare compulsion, phobia
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