as in engaged
involved in often constant activity
the boy is constantly occupied, usually with sports or schoolwork
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interested
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of occupied
Gabe Joselow,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
The Israeli military did not answer NPR's request for a response to the claims that there is no accountability for violence committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
26 June 2026
In occupied territories, Russian authorities have repeatedly used repression of religion to impose political control, weaken Ukrainian identity, and force communities into structures loyal to Moscow.
—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
Sam Abu Haikal is the 13th child to be killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank so far this year, according to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, which has documented the killing of 236 children in the region by Israeli forces since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Rajoub and other Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that Israel violates statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank play in Israel’s national league.
—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms.
—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2026
The sanctions come amid growing criticism across Europe over Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza and policies in the occupied West Bank.
—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
Dying was such a momentous thing to do, and while Matthew, their dear friend, their cousin-brother, had been off doing it, the women had occupied themselves with such frivolities as cleaning and heat.
—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The apartments would remain regulated, but the economics would allow them to be repaired and occupied.
—
Shimon Shkury,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
There is only one CEO seat, and it has been occupied by the same person since 2006.
—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
Tucked into the back of the office occupied by the campus’ newest coaching regime is a rendering.
—
Christian Marshall,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
More than 40 of the approximate 150 retail spaces are currently occupied with shops that are open for business.
—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
The Cubs manager is occupied with a pitching staff in tatters.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Some are occupied, and some are not.
—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Adjective
The five-year period of violence that followed in Israel, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, known as the Second, or the Al-Aqsa, Intifada, featured frequent suicide bombings and intense military operations.
—
Gabe Joselow,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
The Israeli military did not answer NPR's request for a response to the claims that there is no accountability for violence committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
26 June 2026
In occupied territories, Russian authorities have repeatedly used repression of religion to impose political control, weaken Ukrainian identity, and force communities into structures loyal to Moscow.
—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2026
Sam Abu Haikal is the 13th child to be killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank so far this year, according to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, which has documented the killing of 236 children in the region by Israeli forces since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Rajoub and other Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that Israel violates statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank play in Israel’s national league.
—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms.
—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2026
The sanctions come amid growing criticism across Europe over Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza and policies in the occupied West Bank.
—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
But the location of his grave was lost once British troops retook the city in late 1778 and occupied it through the war’s end, camping in the cemetery.
—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
30 June 2026
Dying was such a momentous thing to do, and while Matthew, their dear friend, their cousin-brother, had been off doing it, the women had occupied themselves with such frivolities as cleaning and heat.
—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The apartments would remain regulated, but the economics would allow them to be repaired and occupied.
—
Shimon Shkury,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
There is only one CEO seat, and it has been occupied by the same person since 2006.
—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
Tucked into the back of the office occupied by the campus’ newest coaching regime is a rendering.
—
Christian Marshall,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
More than 40 of the approximate 150 retail spaces are currently occupied with shops that are open for business.
—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
The Cubs manager is occupied with a pitching staff in tatters.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Some are occupied, and some are not.
—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupied
Adjective
-
Written by Jeff Koyen, Edited by Mallory Gafas Since the start of generative AI’s enterprise proliferation, it has been largely regarded by executives and employees alike as a productive assistant more than an engaged collaborator.
-
Millions of engaged, curious readers open our newsletters every day.
Verb
-
What interested him was the gap between the performance of power and whatever lives underneath it.
-
That’s a cheap and easy analogy, but that’s what interested me to want to make this show.
Adjective
-
The tribe wants to build a travel center on the land along a busy highway on Long Island.
-
Because Saturday is typically the busiest day for car sales, most dealerships remain open then and close on Sundays instead.
Verb
-
Even more surreal has been being immersed in it as part of The Star’s visual coverage.
-
This winning series captures a row of poplar trees planted along the banks of the River Po in Italy, which are natural guardians against flooding, now standing immersed in perfectly still water beneath soft, diffused light.
Adjective
-
Now, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says its diligent job is done, signaling full containment of the fires soon.
-
Since then, Roberts, who will also manage the NL All-Star team, has appreciated how diligent Pages has remained in his routine.
Verb
-
That journey validated why Coward became intrigued with joining an independent sports agency.
-
But Kaplan also was intrigued by other labs’ findings that mast cells could fend off a common type of skin bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus.
Verb
-
Mars and Uranus’ alignment inspires you to follow your passions, but be mindful of the risks involved!
-
The collision involved one of Sacramento Regional Transit’s newer low-floor light rail trains.
Verb
-
The naturalist George Forster was fascinated by plants and animals, but he was also driven by a passionate belief in the rights of all people regardless of race, gender, or social status.
-
Denby, as a critic, was fascinated by the great dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, as much for his expressions as for his torso, arms, or legs.
Cite this Entry
“Occupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupied. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
