preoccupied

adjective

pre·​oc·​cu·​pied (ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd 

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

Synonyms

• distracted

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

Hamida next interacts with Taro, an unwell Hindu woman forced into prostitution by her husband, who is himself preoccupied with his mistress. —JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025

This is why economists are so preoccupied with a country’s debt-to-GDP ratio, basically whether a country is growing enough to justify its borrowing, which is projected to spiral to 156% by 2055 according to the CBO. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025

WristbandGuy, for his part, was an amiable if preoccupied host. —Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

The puzzle of who-knows-who-knows-what, always fascinating to fans of mystery novels and spy thrillers, has long preoccupied psychologists and game theorists. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preoccupied

• self-preoccupied

Rhymes for preoccupied

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

preoccupied

adjective

pre·​oc·​cu·​pied (ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpīd 

1

: lost in thought : engrossed

2

: already occupied