as in interested
to hold the attention of
the video game busied the child for hours
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Recent Examples of busied
Another busied himself writing and rewriting the mundane information on his slate.
—
Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Emma shook her head and busied herself with picking up her waders.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
The department has also busied itself in Minneapolis with prosecuting residents opposed to what federal officials are doing in their city and immigrants trying to flee their pursuers, a tactic seen in other cities targeted for immigration enforcement.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
For the first 12 minutes, the Celtics busied themselves by snapping up free points.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Eventually, though, after the Falcons recovered an onside kick successfully and knelt the rest of the way en route to a 19-17 victory, the family busied themselves jumping up and down, screaming for joy.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
So, after the sombrero drew hearty guffaws, my friend Jim busied himself finding monuments to chip-and-dip tastelessness.
—Lee Michael Katz, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
After that, Cornell busied himself with his solo career and other endeavors before committing suicide in 2017.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Russia has for years busied itself with reopening its Soviet-era military bases in the Arctic, and with constructing new facilities across the region.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Emma shook her head and busied herself with picking up her waders.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
The department has also busied itself in Minneapolis with prosecuting residents opposed to what federal officials are doing in their city and immigrants trying to flee their pursuers, a tactic seen in other cities targeted for immigration enforcement.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
For the first 12 minutes, the Celtics busied themselves by snapping up free points.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Eventually, though, after the Falcons recovered an onside kick successfully and knelt the rest of the way en route to a 19-17 victory, the family busied themselves jumping up and down, screaming for joy.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
So, after the sombrero drew hearty guffaws, my friend Jim busied himself finding monuments to chip-and-dip tastelessness.
—Lee Michael Katz, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
After that, Cornell busied himself with his solo career and other endeavors before committing suicide in 2017.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Russia has for years busied itself with reopening its Soviet-era military bases in the Arctic, and with constructing new facilities across the region.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busied
Verb
-
As to why the format interested him, Hawley pointed to a similarity with Fargo.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
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Cindy would give Ann gourmet popcorn or maybe a sweatshirt from her alma mater, while Ann would give Cindy a special book on a topic that interested her, or maybe an old batch of family recipes.—
Ross Channing Reed,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trying to link ads to consumer outcomes has been a quest that has occupied many on Madison Avenue for years.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
7 May 2026
-
Construction could begin after the city signs off on annexation, plats and a new water well for the area, but the developer told council members homes are unlikely to be occupied until after ITD finishes its Karcher Road work, with full build‑out expected to take five to 10 years.—
Noah Daly
May 7,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Dive Into The History Ride The Rails Nestled in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Staunton is immersed in natural beauty, which can be fully appreciated from within a 1940s era rail car on the Virginia Scenic Railway.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
Mbappé enjoyed a tranquil childhood thanks to a large and supportive family that immersed him in sport.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Verb
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When one of Zotkina’s colleagues, archaeologist Ksenia Kolobova, saw a pattern of circular marks lining the hole that were similar to those made by early human dental work, Zotkina was intrigued.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
-
In addition to working with Carell, Clive was intrigued by the journey that Katie goes on in such a short period.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The Beechwood mobile home park in Killingworth has about 300 homes, and all are reserved for people 55 years and older, but the decision only applies to the nearly 200 homes involved in the complaint.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Fear of getting involved in an incident led some students to avoid public transit altogether.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Snakes are another species that Attenborough has been fascinated with for decades, despite some being more poisonous than others.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
Yoo is fascinated by how Love Is Blind might fare in Korea.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busied. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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