preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī 
preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies
1
: to engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or preferentially
2
: to take possession of or fill beforehand or before another
Examples of preoccupy in a Sentence
The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Although his oeuvre was preoccupied with love in all its shades, the image of James Baldwin that endures in American memory is profoundly isolated and aromantic.
—
The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
President Richard Nixon, already fighting inflation and preoccupied by congressional investigations surrounding Watergate, made the rash decision to embargo soybean exports in June 1973.
—Time, 3 Dec. 2025
As Demogorgons are wreaking havoc on the MAC-Z, and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is preoccupied in the Upside Down, the rest of the Hawkins crew is left to figure this hellish situation one out on their own.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
In our less-than-ideal world, an administration that is preoccupied with birth rates rather than facilitating care is calling the shots.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
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The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
President Richard Nixon, already fighting inflation and preoccupied by congressional investigations surrounding Watergate, made the rash decision to embargo soybean exports in June 1973.
—Time, 3 Dec. 2025
As Demogorgons are wreaking havoc on the MAC-Z, and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is preoccupied in the Upside Down, the rest of the Hawkins crew is left to figure this hellish situation one out on their own.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
In our less-than-ideal world, an administration that is preoccupied with birth rates rather than facilitating care is calling the shots.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī
1
: to hold the attention of beforehand
2
: to take possession of before another
preoccupation
noun
(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
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