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

Now, last weekend, onto that was grafted what looks like a completely different set of people and preoccupations who, most frighteningly, burned down the Limoges town hall. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

The film continues Majidi’s longstanding thematic preoccupation with the moral pressures faced by people on society’s margins, as seen in earlier festival-winning works like The Color of Paradise (1999) and Baran (2001). — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Scientists at Macquarie University in Australia have highlighted how our growing preoccupation with sleep hygiene might not be in our best interests, and in turn may be leading to more issues at night. — New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026

Trump’s preoccupation with authoritarian strongmen like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is a slap in the face of a Cuban refugee trying to make a life for his family in Miami. — S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 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