fixate — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To make something fixed and stable; to fix.

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To stare fixedly at something.

3. To attend to something to the exclusion of all others.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   He needed something to fixate on now that the repainting was done.

4. To attach oneself to a person or thing in a pathological, neurotic, or obsessive manner.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

Verb

1. attach (oneself) to a person or thing in a neurotic way

   Broader terms

   bindtieattachbond

   Examples

   He fixates on his mother, even at the age of 40

2. pay attention to exclusively and obsessively

   Broader terms

   attendhangadvertpay heedgive ear

   Examples

   The media are fixating on Princess Diana's death

3. make fixed, stable or stationary

   Synonyms

   fix

   Broader terms

   attach

   Examples

   let's fix the picture to the frame

4. become fixed (on)

   Synonyms

   settle on

   Broader terms

   freezestop dead

   Examples

   Her eyes fixated on a point on the horizon