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.
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
Horror has long been a preoccupation for Boston.
—
Gina McIntyre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Every preoccupation seemed to hide another preoccupation, as if his mind were a warren of hyperlinks.
—Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
The final space in the show considers Gnoli’s preoccupation with clothing, in part a product of his costume-design background and exposure to his first wife’s fashionable friends.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026
These larger sociopolitical preoccupations remain just under the surface, never stepping fully into the foreground to take over the spotlight.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
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Gina McIntyre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Every preoccupation seemed to hide another preoccupation, as if his mind were a warren of hyperlinks.
—Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
The final space in the show considers Gnoli’s preoccupation with clothing, in part a product of his costume-design background and exposure to his first wife’s fashionable friends.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026
These larger sociopolitical preoccupations remain just under the surface, never stepping fully into the foreground to take over the spotlight.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupation. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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