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
Squire isn’t preoccupied by the attack against trans people.
—
Emily Brindley, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
What will preoccupy many regional governments in Latin America, and policy experts in Washington, is whether the White House has considered the consequences to this latest escalation.
—Alan McPherson, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2026
Mister Terrific emerges as one of Superman’s smartest anchors, threading intellect through a story preoccupied with power, trust, and what the world expects its heroes to be.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 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, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
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Emily Brindley, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
What will preoccupy many regional governments in Latin America, and policy experts in Washington, is whether the White House has considered the consequences to this latest escalation.
—Alan McPherson, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2026
Mister Terrific emerges as one of Superman’s smartest anchors, threading intellect through a story preoccupied with power, trust, and what the world expects its heroes to be.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 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, 30 Dec. 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 18 Jan. 2026.
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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