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
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
On the Thursday, June 26 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Bear star chatted with late-night host Jimmy Fallon, 50, about his obsession with florals.
—
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
What’s fueling conspiracy theories A growing obsession with true crime in the media, a mistrust of authorities in the US and a history of conspiracy theories in American culture likely contributed to rumors and misinformation about the bayou deaths, Spicer said.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
The obsession, as Shelley Steele put it, continued as Maycee’s skills grew.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
Based on the award-winning Los Angeles Times article by Frank Shyong, Rosemead watches as an ailing woman discovers her teenage son’s violent obsessions and must go to great lengths to protect him — and possibly others — in a race against time.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsession
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
What’s fueling conspiracy theories A growing obsession with true crime in the media, a mistrust of authorities in the US and a history of conspiracy theories in American culture likely contributed to rumors and misinformation about the bayou deaths, Spicer said.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
The obsession, as Shelley Steele put it, continued as Maycee’s skills grew.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
Based on the award-winning Los Angeles Times article by Frank Shyong, Rosemead watches as an ailing woman discovers her teenage son’s violent obsessions and must go to great lengths to protect him — and possibly others — in a race against time.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsession
Cite this Entry
“Obsession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsession. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share