to obsess over

USAGE SUMMARY

"to obsess over" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a strong preoccupation or fixation on a particular subject or idea. Example: She tends to obsess over every detail of her work. Alternative expressions include "to fixate on" and "to dwell on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I always underestimate the public's ability to obsess over clothes as much as I do.

Independent

Besides, we have a new President to obsess over, thank you very much.

The New Yorker

"Forget the whale, I have a new season of 'Serial' to obsess over".

The New Yorker

Mr. Otteau suggested that it was best not to obsess over home values in the short term.

The New York Times

If we want a first family to obsess over, we should just hire a king and queen.

The New York Times

"Videogames can be very easy to obsess over and escape into," he says.

Forbes

Remember the last time we had a fresh-faced Supreme Court nominee to obsess over?

HuffPost

So I'm excited about being able to have my own to obsess over".

Huffington Post

Society pushes us to obsess over results: What are your goals?

Huffington Post

Fans will have even more details to obsess over on Thursday, when Murphy releases the name of the upcoming season.

Huffington Post

Choose something to obsess over, preferably something you can love easily.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the object of the obsession follows the preposition "over" directly for the most natural flow.

Common error

Avoid using "to obsess with" as a direct replacement for "to obsess over". While "obsessed with" is the correct adjectival form (e.g., "I am obsessed with this song"), the active verb form almost exclusively takes "over" or sometimes "about" in modern English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to obsess over" functions as a transitive phrasal verb phrase. It consists of the intransitive verb "obsess" paired with the preposition "over", which allows it to take an object. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to initiate a description of a mental state or habit.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to obsess over" is a robust and widely accepted phrase in the English language. Based on data from Ludwig, it is most frequently used in News & Media to describe intense mental preoccupation with various subjects, from political polls to fashion. While synonyms like "fixate on" or "ruminate over" exist, "to obsess over" remains the most versatile choice for describing a state of being completely absorbed by something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical status as correct and emphasizes that it is a preferred term in high-authority publications for its clarity and descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fixate on

Implies a more psychological or involuntary level of attachment to an idea or object

dwell on

Specifically refers to thinking or speaking about a negative subject for a long time

be preoccupied with

Describes a state where the mind is already filled with a particular thought, preventing other focus

ruminate over

Suggests a deep, repetitive, and often analytical cycle of thought

agonize over

Adds a layer of significant worry, distress, or difficulty in making a decision

be consumed by

A much stronger, metaphorical expression where the obsession dominates the person's entire life

be hooked on

A more informal, often additive-related metaphor for being intensely interested

fuss over

Focuses on excessive concern or attention toward small, often trivial details

harp on

Focuses on the verbal repetition of a subject rather than just the mental state

dote on

Restricts the obsession to a positive, affectionate focus, usually on a person or pet

FAQs

How do I use "to obsess over" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe intense focus, such as "He tends "to obsess over" every minor detail of the project" or "Fans love "to obsess over" every clue in the movie trailer".

What is the difference between "to obsess over" and "to dwell on"?

While both imply long-term focus, "dwell on" is almost always used for negative past events or mistakes, whereas "to obsess over" can apply to future goals, hobbies, or celebrities.

Is it correct to say "obsess about" or "obsess over"?

Both are grammatically acceptable, but ""to obsess over"" is more common in high-quality journalism and literature to describe a lingering, all-encompassing interest.

Can I say "obsess with" instead of "obsess over"?

No, it is better to use "obsessed with" as an adjective phrase. For the verb action, use "to obsess over".