obsess

/əb'ses/
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obsess

She obsesses over the details of her painting.

Definition

  1. Verb (transitive):

    • To preoccupy or fill the mind of (someone) continually, intrusively, and to a troubling extent.
    • To haunt or trouble persistently, like a ghost.

  2. Verb (intransitive):

    • To think about something unceasingly or persistently; to be preoccupied with something to an excessive degree.
Usage
  • As a transitive verb, "obsess" takes a direct object (the person whose mind is filled).
  • As an intransitive verb, it is often followed by the prepositions "over" or "about" to indicate the subject of the preoccupation.
  • It typically describes an unhealthy, compulsive, or disturbing level of focus.
Examples

  • Transitive Verb:

    • The fear of failure obsessed him.
    • A single, terrifying memory obsessed her thoughts for days.

  • Intransitive Verb:

    • She tends to obsess over minor details.
    • He obsesses about his health constantly.
Advanced Usage
  • "to be obsessed with/by": This is a very common passive construction describing the state of being preoccupied.
    • He is completely obsessed with video games.
    • She was obsessed by the idea of traveling the world.
Variants and Related Words
  • Obsession (n): The state of being obsessed or the thing that causes it.
    • His obsession with cleanliness is noticeable.
  • Obsessive (adj): Characterized by or relating to obsession.
    • She has obsessive thoughts.
  • Obsessively (adv): In an obsessive manner.
    • He checked the door obsessively.
Synonyms
  • Preoccupy: To dominate or engross the mind.
  • Haunt: To recur persistently to the consciousness of; to disturb.
  • Plague: To cause continual distress or trouble.
  • Torment: To cause severe suffering of mind.
Phrasal Verbs / Constructions
  • Obsess over/about: To think about something incessantly. This is the standard intransitive pattern.
    • It's not healthy to obsess over things you cannot change.
Related Idioms
  • "To have an obsession with": To be intensely and often uncontrollably focused on something.
    • He has an obsession with collecting rare stamps.
obsess

She obsesses over the details of her painting.

Verb
  1. be preoccupied with something
    • She is obsessing over her weight
  2. haunt like a ghost; pursue
    • Fear of illness haunts her

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