as in impulsive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
intrigued by the man's obsessive counting of everyday objects
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obsessive
By the time Eclipse was published in August 2007, the series had acquired an obsessive fandom big enough to nip at the heels of those devoted to Harry Potter or Star Wars.
—
Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025
While understandable, the immediate obsessive search for the cause — whether cyberattack, software error or rare atmospheric phenomenon — missed the point.
—Kelly McKinney, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
In him, the obsessive American theme of loneliness reaches an ultimate level of expression, being accepted at last not as a blessing to be sought or a curse to be flaunted or fled, but quite simply as a man’s fate.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The film centers on Chomsky, an obsessive radio journalist who investigates the incident, uncovering a network of corruption, political manipulation and media spectacle.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025
While understandable, the immediate obsessive search for the cause — whether cyberattack, software error or rare atmospheric phenomenon — missed the point.
—Kelly McKinney, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
In him, the obsessive American theme of loneliness reaches an ultimate level of expression, being accepted at last not as a blessing to be sought or a curse to be flaunted or fled, but quite simply as a man’s fate.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The film centers on Chomsky, an obsessive radio journalist who investigates the incident, uncovering a network of corruption, political manipulation and media spectacle.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsessive
Adjective
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Although bad things do happen to him, they are often caused by his own careless and impulsive nature.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Move slowly and be careful about impulsive ideas and actions.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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That compulsive need for authority is a quality that Reubens’ friends and family members observed in him, going all the way back to his childhood.—
Dave Itzkoff,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
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There are also potential long-term effects on kittens separated too early, with studies showing that kittens taken from their mother too early may be increasingly vocal in stressful situations or at higher risk of developing compulsive behaviors or aggression.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsessive. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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