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GRE vocabulary

obsession

nounHigh-frequency wordMore O words

an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind

Word origin: From Latin obsidere, to besiege.

In a sentence

Obsession in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing obsession in a sentence.

Her obsession with perfection made it impossible for her to ever consider a project finished.

His obsession with archival accuracy delayed the biography for years as he chased every unverified date.

Synonyms
fixationpreoccupationcompulsionmania
Antonyms
indifferencedetachmentapathy
Usage & nuance

Using “obsession” well

An obsession is a thought or preoccupation that persistently dominates the mind, often beyond the person's control. It can be casual, as a hobby, or clinical, as a compulsive fixation.

Common questions

Questions about “obsession

Obsession (noun) means an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind
Here is obsession used in an example sentence: "Her obsession with perfection made it impossible for her to ever consider a project finished." Another example: "His obsession with archival accuracy delayed the biography for years as he chased every unverified date."
Common synonyms for obsession include fixation, preoccupation, compulsion, mania.
Antonyms of obsession include indifference, detachment, apathy.
Obsession clusters with fixation, preoccupation, compulsion, and mania. Its antonyms indifference, detachment, and apathy mark the opposite-sense answer.
Yes. Obsession is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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