Obsession: meaning, definitions and examples

When someone is intensely focused on something, often to a harmful or unhealthy degree. It generally has a negative connotation.

• She has an obsession with cleanliness, cleaning the house several times a day
• His obsession with social media is affecting his work and personal life

Describes an unnaturally persistent focus or attachment to a particular idea, person, or object. It can carry a slightly negative implication.

• His fixation on his ex-girlfriend is preventing him from moving on
• She has a fixation with collecting vintage stamps

Used when describing a strong, often uncontrollable urge to perform a particular action, typically as part of a compulsive disorder.

• He feels a compulsion to check the door lock repeatedly
• Her compulsion to wash her hands constantly has become a problem

Refers to being deeply engrossed or absorbed in something, often to the point of distraction. The term can be neutral or mildly negative depending on the context.

• His preoccupation with work is affecting his family life
• She has a preoccupation with her health, constantly reading about new diets

When someone is so preoccupied with something that it starts to affect their daily life. Obsession often has a negative connotation and implies an unhealthy attachment.

• His obsession with checking his phone every five minutes was driving his friends crazy
• She had an obsession with cleanliness, washing her hands dozens of times a day

When someone has an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something. Infatuation often refers to romantic feelings and carries a hint of irrationality or superficiality.

• His infatuation with the new girl in school was obvious to everyone
• She couldn't stop talking about her infatuation with her favorite celebrity

When someone has an extreme enthusiasm or desire for something, often to the point of behaving uncontrollably. Mania can have a negative connotation as it suggests a loss of rational control.

• During the Black Friday sales, his mania for discounts led him to buy things he didn't need
• Her mania for collecting rare stamps had taken over her entire living room

When someone has a deep interest or admiration for something or someone. Fascination is generally viewed in a positive light and does not imply an unhealthy level of interest.

• Her fascination with astronomy led her to spend hours gazing at the stars
• He had a fascination with ancient civilizations, reading every book he could find on the subject