obsessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obsessed" is correct and usable in written English and it is used as an adjective.
Example: She was obsessed with houseplants and had a large collection in her home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Film

Lifestyle

Music

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We live in a culture obsessed with offence, which is not in itself a bad thing – most of us would agree that we would prefer not to anger or upset other people if we can help it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 46-year-old Lee is obsessed with obscure musicians, outsider artists and forgotten writers and he brings some of their off-kilter spirit to standup comedy.

The Guardian

The people who run our supermarkets, obsessed as they are with "price matching" and "meal deals", seem not to have noticed this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But in general, technology sites and newspaper tech sections seem to be still obsessed with gadgets and novelties.

The Guardian - Tech

In small groups, I obsessed that I didn't fit in.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's 'The Uncle', the mysterious man obsessed with Christianity who used to pick up prostitutes, talk to them about God and give them drugs.

The Guardian

She's obsessed, over and beyond what he wants.

The Guardian - Film

Despite growing up in Llanelli, one of the hotbeds of Welsh rugby, Greene was obsessed with football as a kid and joined Swansea's youth side, officially signing with the club aged 13 on a deal that would keep him there until he was 19.

The Guardian - Sport

It turned out to be his white whale; as he hunted it and obsessed about destroying it, it eluded him and succeeded.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

As a sector, we are one of the most transparent, accountable and dare I say most-obsessed with self-improvement.

The Guardian

Her interest aided and abetted me but I was born fashion-obsessed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obsessed" to clearly convey an intense and often irrational preoccupation. Ensure the context supports the strong connotation of the word.

Common error

Avoid using "obsessed" in contexts where "interested" or "enthusiastic" would be more appropriate. Overusing "obsessed" can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obsessed" is as an adjective, describing a state of being intensely preoccupied or fixated on something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, showing it modifies nouns to indicate a strong, often irrational, interest or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Film

15%

Lifestyle

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Music

10%

Politics

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obsessed" functions primarily as an adjective to describe an intense preoccupation or fixation. Ludwig AI validates this, showcasing its frequent use across varied contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's crucial to be mindful of its strong connotation, avoiding overuse in casual contexts. Alternatives like "fixated" or "preoccupied" might be more fitting depending on the intended nuance. Utilizing "obsessed" effectively enhances clarity when conveying a profound level of engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consumed

Conveys being completely taken over by something, similar in intensity to "obsessed".

fixated

Implies a focused attention, potentially less intense than "obsessed".

addicted

Implies a compulsive need or dependence, which is a specific type of being "obsessed".

taken over

Implies a loss of control due to the intense focus or passion, mirroring the forcefulness of being "obsessed".

preoccupied

Suggests being deeply absorbed in thought, which may not necessarily be negative like "obsessed".

engrossed

Indicates being completely absorbed in something, similar to preoccupied but more intense.

gripped

Conveys being held tightly by interest or emotion, suggesting a strong, often irresistible, influence.

captivated

Suggests being strongly attracted or interested, often more positive than "obsessed".

enthralled

Indicates being captivated or charmed, often in a positive way, unlike the potentially negative connotation of "obsessed".

haunted

Suggests being persistently disturbed or preoccupied, typically with negative feelings.

FAQs

How to use "obsessed" in a sentence?

You can use "obsessed" to describe someone or something that is intensely preoccupied with a particular idea, activity, or person. For example: "She was "obsessed with" learning to play the guitar."

What can I say instead of "obsessed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fixated", "preoccupied", or "consumed" to express a similar idea.

Which is correct, "obsessed with" or "obsessed by"?

"Obsessed with" is generally more common and widely accepted. "Obsessed by" is also correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "obsessed" and "addicted"?

"Obsessed" implies a strong preoccupation or fixation, while "addicted" suggests a compulsive need or dependence. Addiction often has negative consequences and withdrawal symptoms if the behavior is stopped, whereas obsession may not always have such severe effects.