obsessed

[ uhb-sest ]

adjective

1. having an obsession (usually followed by with or by ):

   He is obsessed with eliminating guilt.

2. having or displaying signs of an obsession:

   The audiophile entered the record store wearing an obsessed smile.

Other Words From

• self-ob·sessed adjective
• unob·sessed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsessed¹

First recorded in 1835–45; obsess + -ed ²

Example Sentences

I first saw the Broadway production as a 13-year-old and immediately became obsessed.

From New York Times

“He’s a dreamer and a lover. He’s obsessed with this unreciprocated love and that kills him,” said Garcia-Rulfo.

From Los Angeles Times

After becoming obsessed at the age of just 10 by chance, he has now landed himself a job at a local antiques shop.

From BBC

As dedicated as he is to football, Riley is not singularly obsessed.

From Los Angeles Times

He is obsessed with expanding the realm of his own self-interest and getting and exercising more corrupt power; “politics,” however defined and understood, is just a means to an end for Trump.

From Salon

Related Words

• captivated
• dominated
• haunted
• preoccupied
• troubled