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

a preoccupation with money

b

: something that preoccupies one

We need to better understand the problems and preoccupations of our clients.

Synonyms of preoccupation

• obsession
• problem

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

In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Vaz felt a resonance with the preoccupations with land, people and colonialism that have defined her filmography to this point. — Dylan Adamson, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

And anyone who has read even a little of Cusk’s previous work will recognize that these concerns map suspiciously closely to Cusk’s own preoccupations with artificiality. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

For centuries, getting lost was a major preoccupation—something that could prove life-changing, even life-ending. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2026

Sleep specialists call it orthosomnia, a preoccupation with hitting perfect sleep numbers that ends up sabotaging the sleep itself. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preoccupation

• self-preoccupation

Rhymes for preoccupation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation