obsess

[ uhb-ses ]
/ əbˈsɛs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR obsess ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally: Suspicion obsessed him.

verb (used without object)

to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something.

Origin of obsess

1495–1505; < Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidēre to occupy, frequent, besiege, equivalent to ob- ob- + -sid(ēre) combining form of sedēre to sit1

OTHER WORDS FROM obsess

ob·sess·ing·ly, adverb ob·ses·sor, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH obsess

abscess obsess

Words nearby obsess

observation post, observational, observatory, observe, observer, obsess, obsessed, obsession, obsessive, obsessive-compulsive, obsessive-compulsive disorder

Words related to obsess

grip, beset, consume, haunt, harass, torment, engross, dominate, infatuate, hold, possess

Example sentences from the Web for obsess

British Dictionary definitions for obsess

obsess
/ (əbˈsɛs) /

verb

(tr; when passive, foll by with or by) to preoccupy completely; haunt
(intr; usually foll by on or over) to worry neurotically or obsessively; brood

Word Origin for obsess

C16: from Latin obsessus besieged, past participle of obsidēre, from ob- in front of + sedēre to sit