fixated; fixating
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
1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively
2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development
Examples of fixate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
She isn’t fixated on having the right or the most happy kinds of experiences, exactly.
—
Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
While critical thinking is invaluable, the tendency to fixate on ambiguous data points—many of which pertain to uncontrollable external factors—can lead to unnecessary stress.
—Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
But amid all the head scratching and inquiries about his morning routine, a lot of people fixated on Hall’s love of Saratoga water specifically.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2025
In the conclusion of the series' third episode, the camera fixates on a window with light shining through in Bill's house — a move that the episode's cinematographer, Eben Bolter, confirmed to SlashFilm was a not-so-subtle nod to the game's opening menu, which has an almost identical image.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fixate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
While critical thinking is invaluable, the tendency to fixate on ambiguous data points—many of which pertain to uncontrollable external factors—can lead to unnecessary stress.
—Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
But amid all the head scratching and inquiries about his morning routine, a lot of people fixated on Hall’s love of Saratoga water specifically.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2025
In the conclusion of the series' third episode, the camera fixates on a window with light shining through in Bill's house — a move that the episode's cinematographer, Eben Bolter, confirmed to SlashFilm was a not-so-subtle nod to the game's opening menu, which has an almost identical image.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fixate
Cite this Entry
“Fixate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fixate. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fixate
verb
fix·ate
ˈfik-ˌsāt 
fixated; fixating
1
: to focus one's gaze on
2
: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification
1
: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention
an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association2
: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share