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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Over nearly four decades, Khamenei consolidated authority over every branch of government and the armed forces, wielding ultimate political and military power while also occupying the role of the nation's highest religious authority.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
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The petition said the new rules violate international law, and that Israel, as an occupying power, has the obligation to ensure food and medicine reach people.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This energy can lend itself to immersing yourself in creative undertakings and healing self-work but isn’t exactly the best for anything that requires absolute clarity, facts, figures, or even speediness.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
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Clear things up with your ex before immersing yourself in his church.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The likes of Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca and Roberto De Zerbi are intriguing new options, but none offer the combination of experience, tactical flexibility and past silverware than Tuchel, a manager who brings solidity in and out of possession.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In 2024, Disney faced backlash after attempting to use a Disney+ trial subscription contract to block a wrongful death lawsuit involving one of its park properties.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Police body camera footage released by the Connecticut Office of Inspector General Inspector showed Walker brandishing a knife and raised the blade toward a policeman who had fallen over during a scuffle in the apartment involving Walker and his family members.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Busying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busying. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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