Meaning & use
obsessing
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“obsessing” is a form of “obsess”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Thinking about something so much that you cannot stop, usually in a way that causes worry or stress.
Grammar: No object; usually followed by over or about: obsessing over details.
Patterns
- obsessing over something
- obsessing about something
She spent the whole night obsessing over what she had said in the meeting.
Stop obsessing about the test; you've done all you can.
He kept obsessing about the noise his car was making.
verbtransitive
Filling someone's mind completely, so that they think of little else.
Grammar: Takes an object: the idea is obsessing him.
Patterns
- something is obsessing someone
The mystery of the missing key was obsessing the whole family.
A single question was obsessing her all week.
Word forms
| base form | obsess |
|---|---|
| third person singular | obsesses |
| past tense | obsessed |
| past participle | obsessed |
Common combinations
- obsessing over details
- He is obsessing over details that nobody will notice.
- obsessing about the future
- She is obsessing about the future and can't sleep.
- obsessing about weight
- Doctors warn against obsessing about weight.
- keep obsessing
- I keep obsessing over my last email.
- stop obsessing
- Try to stop obsessing about things you can't change.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fixating
- Fixating stresses a fixed focus on one thing, while obsessing adds worry or repeated thoughts.
- dwelling
- Dwelling usually refers to staying on past events or problems, while obsessing can also be about the future.
- brooding
- Brooding suggests quiet, moody thought, whereas obsessing sounds more anxious and restless.
- fretting
- Fretting is milder and focuses on worry, while obsessing implies thoughts that take over.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: obsessing or obsessed?
obsessing vs obsessed
Obsessed is an adjective for the state of being fixated and is followed by with or by. Obsessing is the continuing action and is followed by over or about.
Practice
Stop ___ about the interview; you prepared well and it will be fine.
Choose one answer.
After stop you need an -ing verb form, and obsessing about is a natural pattern. Obsessed and obsessive are adjectives, and obsession is a noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “obsessing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.