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
In October 2023, after two years of no dating — preoccupied caring for her sick parents and recovering from a difficult break-up — Shirley Williams, 39, implemented a new strategy to find her husband.
—
Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The book is preoccupied with the lines that typically divide Americans—racial, economic, geographic—and the opportunities and tensions that arise when those lines begin to fade.
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Some of these folks behind may be preoccupied with their weather apps and such, not looking at the road.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
With Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis, the Wales family were preoccupied in giving their energy towards recovery.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
The book is preoccupied with the lines that typically divide Americans—racial, economic, geographic—and the opportunities and tensions that arise when those lines begin to fade.
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Some of these folks behind may be preoccupied with their weather apps and such, not looking at the road.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
With Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis, the Wales family were preoccupied in giving their energy towards recovery.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 5 June 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 15 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share