obsess

[ uhb-ses ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally:

   Suspicion obsessed him.

   Synonyms: haunt, control, possess

verb (used without object)

1. to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something.

obsess

/ əbˈsɛs /

verb

1. tr; when passive, foll by with or by to preoccupy completely; haunt
2. intr; usually foll by on or over to worry neurotically or obsessively; brood

Other Words From

• ob·sessing·ly adverb
• ob·sessor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsess¹

1495–1505; < Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidēre to occupy, frequent, besiege, equivalent to ob- ob- + -sid ( ēre ) combining form of sedēre to sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsess¹

C16: from Latin obsessus besieged, past participle of obsidēre, from ob- in front of + sedēre to sit

Example Sentences

Before my injury, I obsessed over whether I ate healthy enough.

From Eater

His fans are obsessed with their love story, and Akins has fueled interest by starring in several of Rhett’s videos, notably the swoony, six-time-platinum ballad, “Die a Happy Man.”

From Washington Post

I was obsessed with Wu-Tang and A Tribe Called Quest, all these albums came out when I was turning 13, 14.

From Washington Post

This isn’t some major redesign but we’re talking about minor tweaks that the designers surely obsessed over but that the users may not even really notice.

From TechCrunch

He was a man obsessed not just with his own legacy, but the ability of all people to create their own stories and histories.

From Washington Post

The professor known as Wittgenstein (and Iyer) obsess about the notion of thought itself on almost every page.

From The Daily Beast

Do we obsess over celebrities because we want to be perfect?

From The Daily Beast

Or do we want to be perfect because we obsess over celebrities?

From The Daily Beast

If all goes as planned, Alig soon will face his fans, those who blog about him, follow his tweets, and obsess over Party Monster.

From The Daily Beast

I think we obsess over a lot of the same details in a situation.

From The Daily Beast

If the world continued to confine and obsess him, he hated the world, and gasped for freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

His virility would obsess him to such an extent that there certainly would be moments of posturing and swagger.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, Courtrey, burning with the new desire that was beginning to obsess him, was working out a new design.

From Project Gutenberg

Let the subtle fear that the task is impossible obsess the thought, paralyze the nerve, and no hope is left.

From Project Gutenberg

The old chimera of turning the cold woman to warmth through his own passion began to obsess him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beset
• consume
• dominate
• engross
• grip
• harass
• haunt
• infatuate
• torment