preoccupy

verb

pre·​oc·​cu·​py (ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī How to pronounce preoccupy (audio)
preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies

transitive verb

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 Debra was preoccupied with Jennette's appearance, encouraging her to count calories, whiten her teeth and tint her eyelashes starting at 10 years old. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Many voters, however, are preoccupied with the cost of living, and have yet to be convinced that Bidenomics, as the president’s economic policy is known, is yielding much for them. Akayla Gardner, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 Those concerns preoccupied people not only in real life but also in a plethora of books, shows, and movies. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Putin is preoccupied with raising the birth rate at any cost, but there are few signs this can be changed. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024 Although Paris Fashion Week is usually the talk of the town — and every social network — this week the French capital was preoccupied with events more notable than clothing. Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 But House members will still be preoccupied with the Biden probe. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 22 Feb. 2024 The designer, who dyes his white hair black and straightens its curls, has been preoccupied with getting older. Nick Haramis Ola Rindal Dogukan Nesanir, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 The Shift From Gap-Fixing To Strengths-Building Historically, management has been preoccupied with fixing weaknesses. Hudson Garrett, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preoccupy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin praeoccupare, literally, to seize in advance, from prae- + occupare to seize, occupy

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preoccupy was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near preoccupy

Cite this Entry

“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preoccupy

verb
pre·​oc·​cu·​py (ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī How to pronounce preoccupy (audio)
1
: to hold the attention of beforehand
2
: to take possession of before another
preoccupation
(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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