as in interesting
to hold the attention of
the video game busied the child for hours
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Recent Examples of busying
The song vamps where Railings used to weave and wind, its ever-busying rhythm section building tension atop its harmonic simplicity.
—
Craig Heed, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
Had Steve Smith been fit and available to play, then the 31-year-old would have been patrolling another part of the field; maybe busying himself in the covers, or chirping away from under a lid at short leg.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Much like her idol Marlene Dietrich, Novak walked away from the business under her own steam, and has largely kept to herself, marrying an equine veterinarian and busying herself raising horses and painting.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Craig Heed, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
Had Steve Smith been fit and available to play, then the 31-year-old would have been patrolling another part of the field; maybe busying himself in the covers, or chirping away from under a lid at short leg.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Much like her idol Marlene Dietrich, Novak walked away from the business under her own steam, and has largely kept to herself, marrying an equine veterinarian and busying herself raising horses and painting.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busying
Verb
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Austria was well represented as well, with a supporter’s group occupying four sections in the north side of the stadium, who enjoyed watching two second-half goals scored right in front of them.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
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Lindholm, Jokiharju, and Korpisalo are occupying salary that would be better allocated for C and right D.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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To soak your clothes prior to washing, fill a bucket or your bathtub with cool to warm water and add 1 cup of vinegar before immersing your clothes into the solution.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
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Zoh Amba spent their Kingsport, Tennessee adolescence diving into YouTube, immersing themselves in videos of jazz saxophonists like Albert Ayler and Charlie Parker.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
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His 6-foot-6 frame and power potential offer intriguing athletic tools.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Parker, who serves as the chief of staff at Cook Children’s Hospital, has filed a conflict of interest form disclosing her employment and regularly recuses herself from votes involving city business with the hospital network.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
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The stereotypes of casting Latinos as criminals on screen persisted, with one in four immigrant characters cast in roles involving drug dealing, smuggling, and human trafficking.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busying. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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