as in engaged
involved in often constant activity
the boy is constantly occupied, usually with sports or schoolwork
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interested
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of occupied
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
Sam Abu Haikal is the 13th child to be killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank so far this year, according to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, which has documented the killing of 236 children in the region by Israeli forces since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Rajoub and other Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that Israel violates statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank play in Israel’s national league.
—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms.
—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2026
Israeli forces also clash regularly with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
10 June 2026
The sanctions come amid growing criticism across Europe over Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza and policies in the occupied West Bank.
—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Israeli troops killed a seven-month-old Palestinian baby boy after firing at his parents' vehicle in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.
—
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Richard Mille Contributor,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Some are occupied, and some are not.
—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
The city was almost entirely destroyed and has been occupied by Russia since early 2023.
—
Guy Davies,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The lot was mostly empty Wednesday afternoon, with spots in the first few rows near the entrance occupied but the majority vacant.
—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Julien Farel Salon and Spa The Park Avenue and Palm Beach institution is taking over the space formerly occupied by La Carezza.
—
Nancy Kane,
Curbed,
25 June 2026
In recent months, the city has expressed openness to allowing the school district to use a site currently occupied by a fire station, on the west side of Biscayne Park.
—
Tess Riski,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
Balknight occupied Hill’s typical seat at the dais Tuesday night and delivered the usual superintendent’s reports.
—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
On Thursday, Kansas City, Kansas, police linked Sanchez-Munoz to a June 11 shooting in which a vehicle occupied by an adult and a child was hit by gunfire in the area of 7th Street and Metropolitan Avenue.
—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Adjective
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories.
—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
Sam Abu Haikal is the 13th child to be killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank so far this year, according to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, which has documented the killing of 236 children in the region by Israeli forces since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Rajoub and other Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that Israel violates statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank play in Israel’s national league.
—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms.
—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2026
Israeli forces also clash regularly with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
10 June 2026
The sanctions come amid growing criticism across Europe over Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza and policies in the occupied West Bank.
—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Israeli troops killed a seven-month-old Palestinian baby boy after firing at his parents' vehicle in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.
—
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
Since 1947, the brand has occupied a singular place in the cultural imagination, fusing art, engineering and speed into something that transcends the automobile.
—
Richard Mille Contributor,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Some are occupied, and some are not.
—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
The city was almost entirely destroyed and has been occupied by Russia since early 2023.
—
Guy Davies,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The lot was mostly empty Wednesday afternoon, with spots in the first few rows near the entrance occupied but the majority vacant.
—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Julien Farel Salon and Spa The Park Avenue and Palm Beach institution is taking over the space formerly occupied by La Carezza.
—
Nancy Kane,
Curbed,
25 June 2026
In recent months, the city has expressed openness to allowing the school district to use a site currently occupied by a fire station, on the west side of Biscayne Park.
—
Tess Riski,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
Balknight occupied Hill’s typical seat at the dais Tuesday night and delivered the usual superintendent’s reports.
—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
On Thursday, Kansas City, Kansas, police linked Sanchez-Munoz to a June 11 shooting in which a vehicle occupied by an adult and a child was hit by gunfire in the area of 7th Street and Metropolitan Avenue.
—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupied
Adjective
-
Finally, employees who feel like their benefits work for them are often more engaged and less likely to leave.
-
One came from JaYoung Kim, a high school English teacher who, over 15 years in the classroom, had seen her students become less engaged and have more social-emotional issues.
Verb
-
What interested him was the gap between the performance of power and whatever lives underneath it.
-
That’s a cheap and easy analogy, but that’s what interested me to want to make this show.
Adjective
-
Cohen said Humble Robotics is working to make cabless vehicles applicable to public roads, particularly those surrounding the busy ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
-
If there is a busy period during the day, let children know in advance and then follow through by setting aside time later to connect.
Verb
-
The singer has been immersed in entertainment her whole life.
-
This curved gaming monitor sports a 1000R curve that helps you get immersed in your gameplay by wrapping around your peripheral vision.
Adjective
-
Since then, Roberts, who will also manage the NL All-Star team, has appreciated how diligent Pages has remained in his routine.
-
If a separate closet or dresser outside the bathroom is unavailable to you, then Trosclair advises being diligent in cycling through your linens and washing them regularly to fight any mildewing, molding, or weathering from the moisture.
Verb
-
Lollichon was the Rennes academy goalkeeping coach whose training sessions had intrigued him from afar.
-
We’re intrigued and a little frightened by the Pear Pressure at Gravity Sourdough Pizza, which includes sweet potatoes, goat cheese and maple honey.
Verb
-
Before that can happen, though, the Panthers still need to get through the second day of the draft — one that they will for sure be involved in.
-
Respite care may be an option that empowers everyone involved.
Verb
-
About 60 of the items on the list were lifelong dreams or adventures that had always fascinated him.
-
Part of what fascinated me about their presentation was not only their refusal to kowtow to male desire, which for decades had a stranglehold on rock aesthetics, but a concomitant disavowal of commercialism.
Cite this Entry
“Occupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupied. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
