uhb-SEST
/əˈbsɛst/
Obsessed is pronounced uhb-SEST (/əˈbsɛst/). Obsessed is an adjective describing an intense, consuming preoccupation or fixation. It conveys a strong, often excessive focus on a person, idea, or thing, sometimes to the point of distraction. The term carries a charged emotional tone and is commonly used in informal to semi-formal contexts.
adjectiveObsessed is an adjective describing an intense, consuming preoccupation or fixation. It conveys a strong, often excessive focus on a person, idea, or thing, sometimes to the point of distraction. The term carries a charged emotional tone and is commonly used in informal to semi-formal contexts.
"She became obsessed with learning guitar and practiced for hours every day."
"The detective was obsessed with solving the mysterious case."
"He’s obsessed about diet and fitness, tracking every calorie."
Pronounce as /əbˈsɛst/ in US and UK English, with the stress on the second syllable: ob-SSED. Start with a schwa sound for the first syllable, then a short E-Sound in the second syllable, ending with a clear /st/ cluster. Mouth positions: lips relaxed for /ə/, tongue neutral for /b/ then lift to /s/; the /ɛ/ is similar to 'bet' and the /st/ is a voiceless final cluster. Practice with a brief pause between syllables to confirm the stressed, clipped second syllable.
Two frequent errors are misplacing the stress (saying ob-SSED) and mispronouncing the /s/ + /t/ cluster as a softer or rushed sound. Correct by keeping a crisp, released /st/ final and ensuring the second syllable is short and unstressed but clearly distinct. Another pitfall is pronouncing the vowel as /eɪ/ (as in 'bayed') instead of /ɛ/. Use slow, deliberate pronunciation: /ə/ + /b/ + /ˈsɛst/ with a clear stop after the /t/.
In US and UK, the pattern /əbˈsɛst/ is consistent, with minimal rhotic influence on the vowel; the main variation is vowel quality: US /ɛ/ may feel slightly tenser, UK /ɛ/ a touch rounded depending on region. Australian speakers typically retain /əbˈsɛst/ but may have a lighter or flatter /ə/ in the first syllable and a marginally broader /e/ in /sɛst/. Overall, the stress position remains on the second syllable across all three, with minor vowel shifts.
The difficulty lies in the concise, stressed second syllable /ˈsɛst/ and the final /st/ cluster, which requires precise tongue placement and air control. The initial unstressed /ə/ can reduce to a schwa quickly, making the transition to /b/ and then to /s/ tricky for speakers who conflate /b/ with /v/ or omit the /s/ in rapid speech. Maintaining the crisp /st/ release without voicing the vowel too long is key.
A unique angle for this word is the strong, secondary perceptual cue from the /b/ before/ after the schwa in many speakers. The /b/ acts almost as a liaison into the stressed /ˈsɛst/ cluster; keeping the /b/ firm but not over-voiced helps the second syllable stay crisp. Also, ensure the final /st/ is not vocalized as /s/ or /t/ alone; it should be a short, released cluster.
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Obsessed derives from the verb obsession, which itself comes from Latin obsessus, the past participle of obsidere meaning to besiege or blockade. The root obsidere blends ob- (toward, against) with sedere (to sit), capturing the sense of being seated with persistent attention. In English, obsession appeared by the early 17th century, initially in psychological or religious contexts but soon expanding to secular usage. The form obsessed (past participle/adjective) gained traction in the 18th and 19th centuries as a descriptor for mental preoccupation or fixation. Over time, the word broadened to include intense enthusiasm or fixation about objects, activities, or ideas, maintaining its strong, often negative, connotation. In modern usage, obsessed frequently collocates with with or about (e.g., obsessed with X, obsessed about Y) and can appear in both casual speech and media reporting, reflecting its vivid emphasis on unusual or extreme focus.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Obsessed" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Obsessed" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Obsessed"
-sed sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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