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obsession

noun

ob·ses·sion | \ äb-ˈse-shən

, əb- \

Definition of obsession

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.

Other Words from obsession Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About obsession

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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 In a sneak peek at Monday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the new dad, 54, shares that his 17-month-old son Wyatt Morgan has taken an interest in the extremeities, though the CNN anchor doesn't quite understand the obsession. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, 4 Oct. 2021 Rick works for the IRS and is increasingly dismayed by his wife’s growing obsession: collecting coupons and buying in bulk. — John Anderson, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2021 What’s more, calorie obsession can lead to food choices and eating habits that undermine your health. — Robert J. Davis, Time, 24 Sep. 2021 Why is customer obsession more important today than ever before? — Vasudeva Akula, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2021 Liz's obsession with bats shows in the media room, where paper bats seemingly take flight from behind the sofa and swarm onto the ceiling. — Jody Garlock, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2021 The mission for peace and justice has been Monica’s driving obsession since her son disappeared back in 2011. — Andrea Cavallier, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2021 The 232-employee Boom is the outgrowth of Scholl’s personal obsession to build an airliner that can exceed the sound barrier—part of his greater vision of shrinking the world and paving the way for faster, more sustainable air travel. — Jennifer Alsever, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2021 But D’Amato takes that obsession to a whole new level. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 11 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obsession.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near obsession

obsessingly

obsession

obsessionist

Statistics for obsession

Last Updated

7 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Obsession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsession. Accessed 8 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for obsession

obsession

noun

English Language Learners Definition of obsession

: a state in which someone thinks about someone or something constantly or frequently especially in a way that is not normal

: someone or something that a person thinks about constantly or frequently

: an activity that someone is very interested in or spends a lot of time doing

See the full definition for obsession in the English Language Learners Dictionary

obsession

noun

ob·ses·sion | \ əb-ˈse-shən

Kids Definition of obsession

: a persistent abnormally strong interest in or concern about someone or something

obsession

noun

ob·ses·sion | \ äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb-

Medical Definition of obsession

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling also : something that causes such preoccupation — compare compulsion, phobia