preoccupation
noun
pre·oc·cu·pa·tion
(ˌ)prē-ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən 
1
: an act of preoccupying : the state of being preoccupied
2
a
: extreme or excessive concern with something
b
: something that preoccupies one
Synonyms
Examples of preoccupation in a Sentence
We need to better understand the problems and preoccupations of our clients.
the future entomologist's preoccupation with insects from a very early age
Recent Examples on the Web
Another of Koenig’s lyrical preoccupations—surely not unrelated—is the unstoppable trudge of time.
—
Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The cultural preoccupation with zombies shambles on in The Last of Us and other movies and video games.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
Slow-burn love stories like Hulu’s Normal People or Netflix’s One Day get their glow from people who seem like real people, with preoccupations or desires that might inform the central relationship but exist independently of them.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024
However, some common signs include excessive preoccupation with themselves, a black-and-white view of the world, hierarchical thinking, and a sense of entitlement.
—Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Which, in the end, signals an authorial preoccupation that Serle points out is a reflection of her own personal quandaries.
—Rachel Seo, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024
Denny Tamaki said his calls to move some U.S. operations off Okinawa have been overshadowed by the national government’s preoccupation with potential international conflict.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024
The preoccupation has held them back from accruing savings, buying a home or investing, and instead has led them to overspend and even take on additional debt.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2024
The 1920s painter who hid sapphic symbols in her portraits
This new, electrifying sartorial landscape brought with it a widespread preoccupation with clothes that not only influenced Sargeants’ artistic eye, but his clients’ desires too.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The cultural preoccupation with zombies shambles on in The Last of Us and other movies and video games.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024
Slow-burn love stories like Hulu’s Normal People or Netflix’s One Day get their glow from people who seem like real people, with preoccupations or desires that might inform the central relationship but exist independently of them.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024
However, some common signs include excessive preoccupation with themselves, a black-and-white view of the world, hierarchical thinking, and a sense of entitlement.
—Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Which, in the end, signals an authorial preoccupation that Serle points out is a reflection of her own personal quandaries.
—Rachel Seo, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024
Denny Tamaki said his calls to move some U.S. operations off Okinawa have been overshadowed by the national government’s preoccupation with potential international conflict.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024
The preoccupation has held them back from accruing savings, buying a home or investing, and instead has led them to overspend and even take on additional debt.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2024
The 1920s painter who hid sapphic symbols in her portraits
This new, electrifying sartorial landscape brought with it a widespread preoccupation with clothes that not only influenced Sargeants’ artistic eye, but his clients’ desires too.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preoccupation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near preoccupation
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupation. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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