sick obsession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sick obsession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense and unhealthy fixation on something or someone. Example: "His sick obsession with collecting rare artifacts led him to make questionable decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It's a sick obsession," he said.

The New York Times

Much of the Japanese establishment (including the DPJ) appears to have a sick obsession with personality and power struggles, and seem only too happy to let policy debates fall by the wayside, however urgent they are.

The Economist

If I understand Drew's post correctly, America has some kind of sick obsession with graphs, and when Americans are losing money, all they can do to drag themselves out of the depths of depression is to look at them.

The New Yorker

Yglesias: [I]t's a straightforward consequence of the right wing's sick obsession with reducing the level of taxes rich people need to pay as the prime virtue of politics.

The New Yorker

"Crazy Megyn" was his nickname for Kelly around the time that he suggested that "blood coming out of her wherever" had something to do with her debate questions, and when he refused to attend a debate she moderated and was accused by her employer of having a "sick obsession" with her.

The New Yorker

That defense included a statement in which the network accused Mr. Trump of having a "sick obsession" with the star and sent the signal that the network had the ratings stature, and confidence, to jeopardize its access to Mr. Trump, who had proved to be a great ratings draw.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"That is really sick," Hochuli said of the obsession with his arms.

The New York Times - Sports

Because of that, this week's results will probably only embolden critics looking for proof that listeners are sick of hip-hop's obsession with posteriors and pugnacity.

The New York Times - Arts

The Agusta AW139 Executive "includes two 15-inch monitors equipped with touchscreens, eight speakers, and a booming woofer" … It may not be surround sound, but the retro-looking Phonophone II iPod speaker definitely makes a loud style statement… Sick of everyone's iPhone obsession?

The New York Times

In his 1912 novel Death in Venice, Thomas Mann portrays the death-wish of cosmopolitan European culture through the love-obsession of a sick old man.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, fashion's obsession with thinness is sick.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sick obsession", consider the audience and context. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation, so ensure it accurately reflects the intensity and unhealthiness of the described fixation. Alternatives like "unhealthy fixation" or "morbid fascination" might be more appropriate in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "sick obsession" lightly or hyperbolically. Its strong connotation can be jarring if applied to trivial interests. Reserve it for truly concerning or disruptive fixations to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sick obsession" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "sick" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "obsession". It's used to describe a particular type of obsession characterized by its unhealthy or disturbing nature, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sick obsession" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, albeit one with a strong negative connotation. As Ludwig AI states, it describes an intense and unhealthy fixation. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears most often in News & Media contexts. When considering using "sick obsession", it's crucial to be mindful of the audience and ensure that the described fixation warrants such a strong term. Alternatives like "unhealthy fixation" or "morbid fascination" may be more fitting in certain situations. To summarise, using the phrase "sick obsession" to emphasize that someone is completely fixated on someone or something in an unhealthy manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unhealthy fixation

This alternative replaces "sick" with "unhealthy" making it a more direct and less provocative description of an intense focus.

morbid fascination

This alternative shifts the focus to a fascination with dark or unpleasant topics, implying a disturbing element.

pathological preoccupation

This alternative uses more formal language to denote a medical or psychological problem.

obsessive compulsion

This alternative highlights the compulsive nature of the obsession, suggesting an uncontrollable urge.

irrational preoccupation

This alternative suggests that the obsession is not based on reason or logic.

twisted infatuation

This alternative uses "twisted" to indicate the infatuation is unhealthy or morally wrong.

abnormal craving

This alternative suggests a strong, unusual, and potentially harmful desire.

consuming passion

While "passion" can be positive, "consuming" adds a sense of being overwhelmed and controlled by the feeling.

perverse attraction

This alternative emphasizes the unusual or unacceptable nature of the attraction.

manic enthusiasm

This alternative suggests an excessive and possibly disruptive level of enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "sick obsession" in a sentence?

You can use "sick obsession" to describe an intense and unhealthy preoccupation with something or someone. For example: "His sick obsession with collecting rare artifacts led him to make questionable decisions."

What's the difference between "sick obsession" and "unhealthy fixation"?

"Sick obsession" carries a stronger negative connotation and implies a more disturbing or perverse element compared to "unhealthy fixation", which is a more general term for an intense and unhealthy focus.

What can I say instead of "sick obsession"?

You can use alternatives like "morbid fascination", "obsessive compulsion", or "consuming passion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sick obsession" always used in a negative context?

Yes, "sick obsession" inherently carries a negative connotation, suggesting an unhealthy, disturbing, or even dangerous level of preoccupation. It is rarely, if ever, used in a positive or neutral sense.