preoccupied

adjective pre·oc·cu·pied \ (ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Examples: preoccupied in a Sentence

Definition of preoccupied

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

See preoccupied defined for English-language learners

See preoccupied defined for kids

Examples of preoccupied in a Sentence

too preoccupied with her worries to enjoy the meal

Recent Examples of preoccupied from the Web

In his mind these sorts of gods did not answer Monday, perhaps too preoccupied watching that breathless track meet like everyone else (including the referees who missed Ryan Reaves’ obvious cross-check on the game-winning goal).

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Braden Holtby Delivers a Resilient Game 2 Performance to Secure Washington's Win," 31 May 2018
The meditative, seemingly preoccupied woman, her ornate clothes and the interior décor blur into a nearly monochromatic canvas.

— WSJ, "When Flower Arranging Meets Art History: A Pastel June Bouquet," 31 May 2018
Mary’s father, William Godwin (Stephen Dillane), is a loving but preoccupied Enlightenment thinker, eminent, admired, and poor.

— ty burr, BostonGlobe.com, "Mary Shelley’s monster hit," 30 May 2018
Although many residents are too preoccupied to notice the problem, some are keenly aware.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Medical license mess for doctor-trainees means high anxiety for Pa. hospitals," 11 May 2018
Endeavor now appears preoccupied with Saudi Arabia, whose sovereign wealth fund is exploring the acquisition of a minority stake in the company worth between $400 million and $500 million.

— david ng, latimes.com, "Talent agencies are reshaping their roles in Hollywood. Not everyone is happy about that," 6 Apr. 2018
The episode has epitomized Trump's good cop-bad cop approach to Russia, in which his administration gets tough but Trump seems mostly preoccupied with crafting a better relationship with Vladimir Putin.

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "Trump’s unprecedented scolding of Vladimir Putin," 9 Apr. 2018
Oil investors have become increasingly preoccupied with the deal as the May 12 deadline approaches.

— sarah mcfarlane, WSJ, "Oil Pulls Back From More Than Three-Year Highs," 24 Apr. 2018
In recent years, artists have increasingly pushed back, citing everything from copyright concerns to frustration at audiences that are seemingly preoccupied with everything but the performance in front of them.

— brian mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Jack White's smartphone ban gets first real test with Little Caesars Arena tour launch," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preoccupied.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of preoccupied

1790

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

preoccupied Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of preoccupied

abstracted, preoccupied, absent, absentminded, 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.