fixate
verb
fix·ate ˈfik-ˌsāt 
fixated; fixating
transitive verb
1
: to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging
2
: to focus one's gaze on
3
: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification
intransitive verb
1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively
2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Newton didn’t stubbornly fixate on a quarter of a circle. 
Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 Still, people seem to really care about it and fixate on it, for whatever reason. Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 Aug. 2022 Many of us hold ourselves to impossible standards and fixate on imperfections or, worse, the imperfections of others. Nuala Walsh, Forbes, 17 June 2022 Some turn to human connections made in their own daily lives as a way to focus on the joys in the world, rather than completely fixate on the hardships. Jaden Edison, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Aug. 2022 Rather than fixate on strict, formulaic racial categories, many contemporary scientists are trying instead to apprehend human movement and human ecosystems. Wired, 14 July 2022 In recent years, the debates over what to do with mentally ill people tend to fixate on two extremes. New York Times, 26 July 2022 Still, Booster can't help but fixate on negative feedback, mainly via Twitter. Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 June 2022 Don't fixate on a single social media platform or site. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 15 July 2022 See More
Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 Still, people seem to really care about it and fixate on it, for whatever reason. Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 Aug. 2022 Many of us hold ourselves to impossible standards and fixate on imperfections or, worse, the imperfections of others. Nuala Walsh, Forbes, 17 June 2022 Some turn to human connections made in their own daily lives as a way to focus on the joys in the world, rather than completely fixate on the hardships. Jaden Edison, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Aug. 2022 Rather than fixate on strict, formulaic racial categories, many contemporary scientists are trying instead to apprehend human movement and human ecosystems. Wired, 14 July 2022 In recent years, the debates over what to do with mentally ill people tend to fixate on two extremes. New York Times, 26 July 2022 Still, Booster can't help but fixate on negative feedback, mainly via Twitter. Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 June 2022 Don't fixate on a single social media platform or site. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 15 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
probably back-formation from fixation, in part as translation of German fixieren
First Known Use
1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Medical Definition
fixate
verb
fix·ate ˈfik-ˌsāt
fixated; fixating
transitive verb
1
: to focus one's gaze on
2
: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification
intransitive verb
1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention
an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of the American Medical Association2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development
fixating
verb
as in staring
to look at or think about something constantly; to give all of your attention to something —usually + on or upon The cat was fixated on a small hole in the wall. Why do journalists fixate on scandals? Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- staring
- gazing
- gawking
- observing
- watching
- gawping
- eyeing
- rubbernecking
- peering
- considering
- goggling
- gaping
- blinking
- eying
- ogling
- gloating
- glowering
- regarding
- glaring
- leering
- studying
- perusing
- outfacing
- staring down
- outstaring
- poring (over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- glancing
- scanning
- peeking
- peeping
- glimpsing
- browsing
- dipping (into)
- winking (at)