fixating
Unable to detach
Fixating is focusing intensely on something, often to an unhealthy or obsessive degree: She's been fixating on that one comment for days.
The word implies an inability to move on or consider other things.
In its more clinical sense, fixating describes directing the eyes to focus on a single point.
Thinking about compulsively
- preoccupiedMentally elsewhere, not present
- consumedFully used or eaten
- compulsiveUnable to stop oneself
- monomaniacalFixated on one idea
haunted · possessed · tormented · plagued · gripped · besieged · dominated · ruminating
Held in rapt attention
- fascinatedIntensely absorbed and curious
- enthralledDeeply fascinated, held rapt
- absorbedTook in fully
- engrossedWholly absorbed in something
spellbound · hypnotized · rapt · gripped · hooked · intrigued · enchanted · riveted
Gazing without break
- gazingProlonged, intent looking
- watchingActively looking at something
- eyeingWatching with intent
- focusingConcentrating on one point
locked on · riveted · transfixed · unblinking · intent · scrutinizing · peering · zeroed in
Making firmly fixed
- fasteningJoining two parts together
- mountingSteadily increasing in degree
- anchoringFastening securely to position
- affixingSecuring to something
pinning · stabilizing · clamping · locking · setting · positioning · immobilizing · cementing
obsessing
Thinking about compulsively
- preoccupiedMentally elsewhere, not present
- consumedFully used or eaten
- compulsiveUnable to stop oneself
monomaniacal · haunted · possessed · tormented · plagued · gripped · besieged · dominated · ruminating · dwelling
mesmerized
Held in rapt attention
- fascinatedIntensely absorbed and curious
- enthralledDeeply fascinated, held rapt
- absorbedTook in fully
engrossed · spellbound · hypnotized · rapt · gripped · hooked · intrigued · enchanted · riveted · immersed
staring
Gazing without break
focusing · locked on · riveted · transfixed · unblinking · intent · scrutinizing · peering · zeroed in · fixed gaze
securing
Making firmly fixed
- fasteningJoining two parts together
- mountingSteadily increasing in degree
- anchoringFastening securely to position
affixing · pinning · stabilizing · clamping · locking · setting · positioning · immobilizing · cementing · bonding
- overdoingoverdoing, overindulging, overkill, excess, overreacting
- frettingworrying, fussing, fretting, stewing, hand-wringing
- attentionattention, focus, focused, attentiveness, focused attention
- Self-focusintrospection, self-analysis, self-examination, narcissism, egocentrism
- compulsionsOCD, compulsion, obsession, handwashing, hand washing
- intrusionsintrusion, intrude, intruder, intruding, barging in
fixatingwandering
Traveling with no fixed course
drifting · roaming · unfocusing · daydreaming · meandering
fixatingletting go
Releasing one's grasp
releasing · detaching · moving on · disengaging · relinquishing
- oral fixationPsychological attachment to mouth activities
- mother fixation
- nitrogen fixationConverting inert gas to ammonia