obsess
3 synonyms for obsess, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To think about someone or something constantly, to the point where it takes over your mind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use obsess
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
obsess over something
obsess about a problem
Etymology
From Latin obsessus, "besieged" — from ob- ("towards, against") plus sedere ("to sit"); the same root shows up in "session" and "possess".
Full origin of obsess →Frequently asked questions
What does “obsess” mean?
The word “obsess” means to think about someone or something constantly, to the point where it takes over your mind. In plain terms, to be unable to stop thinking about something.
How do you pronounce “obsess”?
“Obsess” is pronounced uhb-SEHS (/əbˈsɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “obsess” in a sentence?
Here is “obsess” used in a sentence: “He started to obsess over every tiny detail of the presentation.”
What is another word for “obsess”?
Words with a similar meaning to “obsess” include fixate.
What part of speech is “obsess”?
“Obsess” is a verb.
Where does the word “obsess” come from?
The word “obsess” comes from Latin. From Latin obsessus, "besieged" — from ob- ("towards, against") plus sedere ("to sit"); the same root shows up in "session" and "possess".
