preoccupied

pre·oc·cu·pied

adjective \(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd\

Definition of PREOCCUPIED

1

: previously applied to another group and unavailable for use in a new sense —used of a biological generic or specific name

2

a : lost in thought; also : absorbed in some preoccupation

b : already occupied

Examples of PREOCCUPIED

1. <too preoccupied with her worries to enjoy the meal>

First Known Use of PREOCCUPIED

1842

Related to PREOCCUPIED

Synonyms

absent, abstracted, distracted, absentminded

Antonyms

alert

Related Words

absorbed, daydreaming, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, intent, pensive, rapt; heedless, inattentive, insensible, oblivious, unaware, unconscious, unheeding, unknowing, unmindful, unperceptive, unthinking, unwary, unwitting, vacant; befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, birdbrained, clueless, confused, dazed, flighty, foggy, forgetful, forgetting, hazy, muddled, scatterbrained, unfocused (also unfocussed)

Near Antonyms

alive, attentive, aware, conscious, engaged, heads-up, heedful, mindful, observant, observing, open-eyed, sharp, vigilant, wary, watchful, wide-awake; clearheaded, unconfused

See Synonym Discussion at abstracted

Rhymes with PREOCCUPIED

by the wayside, dissatisfied, fit to be tied, formaldehyde, infanticide, initial side, insecticide, interallied, rodenticide, self-satisfied, terminal side, thalidomide, Trinitytide, tyrannicide, uxoricide