Word Explorer

Obsess

/əbˈsɛs/

(passive, constructed with "with") To be preoccupied with a single topic or emotion.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Obsess"

verb

1
(passive, constructed with "with") To be preoccupied with a single topic or emotion.
"Some people are obsessed with sports."
2
To dominate the thoughts of someone.
"Thoughts of her obsess my every waking moment."
3
(construed with over) To think or talk obsessively about.
"Stop obsessing over it, will you!"

🔄 Synonyms of "Obsess"

2 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
ghostnoun	A disembodied soul; a soul or spirit of a deceased person; a spirit appearing after death.
hauntverb	(transitive) To inhabit or to visit frequently (most often used in reference to ghosts).

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Obsess"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
hauntverb	(transitive) To inhabit or to visit frequently (most often used in reference to ghosts).
ghostverb	(transitive) (literary, poetic) Of a disembodied soul: to appear (somewhere or to someone) in the form of an apparition; to haunt.
besetverb	(transitive, sometimes figurative) To attack or assail, especially from all sides.
hyperfixateverb	To completely obsess or be absorbed in a subject or hobby to a point where a person appears to completely tune out their surroundings and where the person repeatedly returns to said subject or material; to have a hyperfixation.
overfocusnoun	(rare) Excessive focus.
have it badverb	To be obsessed (with); to be enthralled (by); to be in love (with).
fuss oververb	(transitive) To be overly attentive to someone or something.
overconcern	excessive concern
cling toverb	(by extension) To have an intense emotional dependency on (someone).
hang uponverb	(idiomatic) To depend upon.
overbusy	Excessively busy; officious.
fussnoun	(countable or uncountable) Excessive activity, worry, bother, or talk about something.
hyperfocusnoun	An intense form of mental concentration or visualization that focuses the consciousness on a narrow subject.
devourverb	(transitive) To eat quickly, greedily, hungrily, or ravenously.
have one's heart set onverb	Alternative form of set one's heart on. [(transitive, idiomatic) To desire with intensity and commitment, to earnestly long for.]
have one's heart set uponverb	Alternative form of set one's heart on. [(transitive, idiomatic) To desire with intensity and commitment, to earnestly long for.]
gone onverb	(chiefly Ireland) infatuated with.
passionate	Given to strong feeling, sometimes romantic, sexual, or both.
fanaticizeverb	(transitive) To make into a fanatic.
overaffectverb	(transitive) To have too great an effect on.