obsess
Can't let go
To obsess is to preoccupy the mind excessively and persistently.
The word works in two directions: something can obsess you (The case obsessed her for years), or you can obsess over something (He obsesses over every detail).
The noun obsession and adjective obsessed are more common than the verb.
What obsesses tends to be unwanted or unhealthy—a fixation rather than a passion.
Troubled mental state
- ruminateThink deeply and repeatedly
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- fretAgitation or fingerboard guide
brood · overthink · catastrophize · agonize · panic · hypervigilance · neurosis · paranoia
Persistent mental attachment
- fascinationIntense absorbed interest
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
- monomaniaFixation on single idea
- idée fixePersistent dominating thought
preoccupation · engrossment · absorption · single-mindedness · tunnel vision · fanaticism · zealotry · mania
Trouble persistently, as spirits
- plagueDeadly epidemic disease
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- gripSecure manual hold
- consumeTake in fully
nag · shadow · specter · ghost · linger · recur · persistent · inescapable
Ceremonial set of actions
- checkingAct of verification
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
- hoardingExcessive accumulation of goods
- washingCleaning with liquid
arranging · repetition · perfectionism · control · orderliness · symmetry · cleanliness · grooming
Angry prolonged outburst
- raveEnthusiastic praise or nightlong dance
- harp onRepeat tediously, incessantly
- dwell onThink about excessively
- bemoanExpress grief vocally
lament · complain · gripe · monologue · tirade · ramble · preach · broken record
worry
Troubled mental state
fret · brood · overthink · catastrophize · agonize · panic · hypervigilance · neurosis · paranoia · intrusive thoughts
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
- fascinationIntense absorbed interest
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
- monomaniaFixation on single idea
idée fixe · preoccupation · engrossment · absorption · single-mindedness · tunnel vision · fanaticism · zealotry · mania · enthrallment
haunt
Trouble persistently, as spirits
consume · nag · shadow · specter · ghost · linger · recur · persistent · inescapable · unshakeable
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- checkingAct of verification
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
- hoardingExcessive accumulation of goods
washing · arranging · repetition · perfectionism · control · orderliness · symmetry · cleanliness · grooming · sanitizing
rant
Angry prolonged outburst
- raveEnthusiastic praise or nightlong dance
- harp onRepeat tediously, incessantly
- dwell onThink about excessively
bemoan · lament · complain · gripe · monologue · tirade · ramble · preach · broken record
infatuation
Short-lived intense attraction
longing · lovesick · besotted · smitten · enamored · stalking · jealousy · unrequited · fantasizing · daydreaming
- geek outbinge watch, cosplay, nerd out, fan theory, deep dive
- overthinkingoverthink, ruminate, brood, dwell, fixate
- wantingwant, desire, crave, yearn, long
- mental processesthinking, think, reasoning, cognition, pondering
- devotiondevotion, adoration, reverence, devotions, piety
- excessexcess, too much, excessive, excessiveness, overabundance
- romantic obsessionFixated longing for another
- obsessive thoughtsPersistent unwanted mental intrusions
- obsessive-compulsive disorderAnxiety disorder with rituals
- obsessive compulsive disorderAnxiety disorder with repetitive behaviors
- obsessive behaviorPersistent unwanted repetitive actions
- social media obsessionCompulsive engagement with networking sites
obsession, obsessed, obsessive, obsessing, obsessions, obsessively, obsessional, obsesses, obsessiveness