preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī 
preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies
1
: to engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or preferentially
2
: to take possession of or fill beforehand or before another
Examples of preoccupy in a Sentence
The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Read the full Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Capricorn (December 21 - January 19)
A dream may preoccupy you emotionally today.
—
USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Hodge said Friday he was preoccupied with family matters, among them his mother's struggle with major heart issues.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024
Throughout, the novel is preoccupied by the constant synthesizing required of immigrants, for whom an adoptive country can hold the fascination of a work of art.
—The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
Debra was preoccupied with Jennette's appearance, encouraging her to count calories, whiten her teeth and tint her eyelashes starting at 10 years old.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
Many voters, however, are preoccupied with the cost of living, and have yet to be convinced that Bidenomics, as the president’s economic policy is known, is yielding much for them.
—Akayla Gardner, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
Those concerns preoccupied people not only in real life but also in a plethora of books, shows, and movies.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024
Putin is preoccupied with raising the birth rate at any cost, but there are few signs this can be changed.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024
Although Paris Fashion Week is usually the talk of the town — and every social network — this week the French capital was preoccupied with events more notable than clothing.
—Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Hodge said Friday he was preoccupied with family matters, among them his mother's struggle with major heart issues.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024
Throughout, the novel is preoccupied by the constant synthesizing required of immigrants, for whom an adoptive country can hold the fascination of a work of art.
—The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
Debra was preoccupied with Jennette's appearance, encouraging her to count calories, whiten her teeth and tint her eyelashes starting at 10 years old.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
Many voters, however, are preoccupied with the cost of living, and have yet to be convinced that Bidenomics, as the president’s economic policy is known, is yielding much for them.
—Akayla Gardner, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
Those concerns preoccupied people not only in real life but also in a plethora of books, shows, and movies.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024
Putin is preoccupied with raising the birth rate at any cost, but there are few signs this can be changed.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024
Although Paris Fashion Week is usually the talk of the town — and every social network — this week the French capital was preoccupied with events more notable than clothing.
—Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preoccupy.' 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 preoccupy
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī
1
: to hold the attention of beforehand
2
: to take possession of before another
preoccupation
noun
(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
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