preoccupied

adjective

pre·​oc·​cu·​pied (ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd How to pronounce preoccupied (audio)
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
Choose the Right Synonym for preoccupied

abstracted, preoccupied, absent, absent-minded, distracted mean inattentive to what claims or demands consideration.

abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

absent-minded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absent-minded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

Examples of preoccupied in a Sentence

too preoccupied with her worries to enjoy the meal
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In an era where so many action movies feel bloated, impersonal, or too preoccupied with setting up spin-offs, Plane is refreshingly straightforward. Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 Nora and Madeline, meanwhile, aren’t as well developed, but then again, they’re both entirely preoccupied throughout with trying to understand what on earth is going on in this creepy house, what their mothers aren’t telling them and why. Ilana Masad, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 While universities remain preoccupied with defending traditional curricula and evaluation methods, not to mention banning students (and staff) from using genAI, the job market is rapidly evolving. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 The United States had withdrawn from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council; the State Department seemed more preoccupied with deportations than with diplomacy. E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preoccupied

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preoccupied was in 1790

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preoccupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupied. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

preoccupied

adjective
pre·​oc·​cu·​pied (ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpīd How to pronounce preoccupied (audio)
1
: lost in thought : engrossed
2
: already occupied

More from Merriam-Webster on preoccupied

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!