preoccupied

adjective

pre·oc·cu·pied | \ (ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd

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

2a : lost in thought also : absorbed in some preoccupation

b : already occupied

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about preoccupied

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Synonyms & Antonyms for preoccupied

Synonyms

absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted

Antonyms

alert

Choose the Right Synonym for 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. 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 absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness. so absentminded, 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

The streak indicates investors are increasingly preoccupied with broader risks in the equity market and less inclined to use selloffs as opportunities to load up on more shares. — Gunjan Banerji, WSJ, "Fear Gauge Warns That This Selloff Is Different," 10 Dec. 2018 But, mainly, July was spent preoccupied with one thing and one thing only. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "How Did Timothée Chalamet Spend 2018? We’re So Glad You Asked," 10 Dec. 2018 Even then, at least two jurors appeared stressed or preoccupied. — Catherine Herridge, Jason Donner, Jake Gibson, Fox News, "Reporter's Notebook: Tension in Manafort trial courtroom as jury deliberates," 20 Aug. 2018 And elsewhere, America’s center of power kept doing business, perhaps too busy, uninterested, or preoccupied to drop everything and glue themselves to the television screens beaming out a stunning moment in U.S. history. — Celeste Katz, Glamour, "A Tale of Two Cities: A Snapshot of Washington D.C. On the Historic Kavanaugh-Ford Hearing Day," 27 Sep. 2018 The actors, Vinberg foremost among them, are wonderfully unselfconscious, preoccupied not with the cliches of adolescence—looks, for one—but with less tangible qualities. — Eve Macsweeney, Vogue, "Skate Kitchen Is Chock-Full of Memorable Characters," 10 Aug. 2018 Well, neither do women who are more preoccupied with seeming like total sweethearts than getting things done. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Feminism Doesn't Mean Liking Every Stupid Woman You Meet," 4 May 2017 Ultimately, advocates say, many people in poverty are too preoccupied trying to survive to worry about nutrition. — Alfred Lubrano, Philly.com, "Attacking people in poverty for buying birthday cakes and other treats with food stamps," 17 June 2018 In this country, USA Track & Field, the sport's national governing body seemingly has been too preoccupied with messes of its own making to do much about marketing its athletes. — Ken Goe, OregonLive.com, "What if you held a meet and nobody outside the stadium noticed? Oregon track & field rundown," 22 May 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.

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Statistics for preoccupied

Last Updated

9 Feb 2019

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Time Traveler for preoccupied

The first known use of preoccupied was in 1790

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More Definitions for preoccupied

preoccupied

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of preoccupied

: thinking about something a lot or too much

See the full definition for preoccupied in the English Language Learners Dictionary

preoccupied

adjective

pre·oc·cu·pied | \ prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd

Kids Definition of preoccupied

: thinking about or worrying about one thing a great deal The kittens played right in front of him, but the Emperor was too preoccupied to notice.— Lloyd Alexander, Time Cat