fixate

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   To keep your attention or thoughts locked on one thing, often too much.

   Grammar: Usually followed by on: he fixated on the mistake. No direct object.

   Patterns

   • fixate on something
   • fixate on doing something

   Don't fixate on one bad grade.

   She fixated on every small detail of the plan.

   Many players fixate on the score instead of enjoying the game.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitivetechnical

   To fix your eyes steadily on something.

   Grammar: Can take an object: the baby fixated her eyes on the toy; or on its own with on.

   Patterns

   • fixate your gaze on something
   • fixate on something

   Newborns fixate on high-contrast patterns.

   The cat fixated on the bird outside the window.

   Please fixate your eyes on the dot in the center.

Word forms

Common combinations

fixate on

He tends to fixate on small errors.

fixate on the past

Try not to fixate on the past.

fixate on a problem

The team fixated on a problem that was not important.

fixate on details

Editors often fixate on details.

unable to stop fixating

She was unable to stop fixating on the message.

Synonyms and how they differ

obsess

Obsess suggests stronger, more troubling preoccupation, while fixate can be milder or brief.

dwell

Dwell takes on with sad or unpleasant thoughts, whereas fixate can apply to anything.

concentrate

Concentrate is positive and controlled, but fixate implies narrow and sometimes harmful focus.

stare

Stare is only about looking, while fixate often refers to thoughts.

Opposites

Word family

fixation noun

an obsessive interest in something

fixated adjective

unable to stop thinking about something

fix verb

to attach or repair

fixity noun

the state of being fixed

Commonly confused: fixate or fix?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fixate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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