OBSESSION

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone

Synonyms:

fixation; obsession

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("obsession" is a kind of...):

preoccupation (an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention)

Derivation:

obsess (haunt like a ghost; pursue)

obsess (be preoccupied with something)

obsessional (characterized by or constituting an obsession)

Meaning:

An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will

Example:

her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly

Synonyms:

compulsion; obsession

Classified under:

Nouns denoting goals

Hypernyms ("obsession" is a kind of...):

irrational motive (a motivation that is inconsistent with reason or logic)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "obsession"):

onomatomania (obsession with a particular word which the person uses repeatedly or which intrudes into consciousness)

Derivation:

obsessional (characterized by or constituting an obsession)