as in engaged
involved in often constant activity
the boy is constantly occupied, usually with sports or schoolwork
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of occupied
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Previous diplomats who held the title issued statements condemning the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and emphasizing the importance of the two-state solution.
—Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Day-to-day operations in Gaza are expected to be overseen by a separate technocratic committee, headed by Ali Shaath, a former planning minister for the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
The nine occupied residences are uninhabitable following the fire.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
He has been charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling, battery and indecent exposure.
—Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Israel's cabinet approved a proposal for 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to a post on X by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also the chairman of the far-right Religious Zionist Party.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The company appears to be eyeing up the market currently occupied by Sonos and has its own ecosystem with a range of wireless speakers and streamers offering the same kind of convenience as Sonos but at more competitive prices.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The center display was made larger in part by reclaiming space formerly occupied by hard navigation buttons and relocating the volume dial to the trim just below it.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
Unlike traditional jobs, a legislative day can last longer than 24 hours or stretch across multiple calendar days, and senators are usually occupied year-round with other responsibilities.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
About 48% of housing units are owner-occupied, while 52% are renter-occupied.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Guests will once again be welcomed into a recording studio, this time occupied by members of the Electric Mayhem band, penguins working as audio engineers and Scooter, who’s rushing to get the band on stage in front of fans.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Another version of Hôtel Balzac occupied this space before the current one, but word on the street is that the former venue—with heavy curtains, decadent fleur-de-lis bed spreads, and a real King Louis XIV aesthetic—was due for a makeover.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
If approved by the Naperville City Council, the rezoning would allow Lakewest to construct a four-story building with six condo units on the site, which is currently occupied by an office building and parking lot.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Registry of names Israel’s ban on UNRWA dovetailed with broader efforts to deregister aid groups operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Previous diplomats who held the title issued statements condemning the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and emphasizing the importance of the two-state solution.
—Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Day-to-day operations in Gaza are expected to be overseen by a separate technocratic committee, headed by Ali Shaath, a former planning minister for the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
The nine occupied residences are uninhabitable following the fire.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
Remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
He has been charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling, battery and indecent exposure.
—Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Israel's cabinet approved a proposal for 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to a post on X by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also the chairman of the far-right Religious Zionist Party.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2025
Verb
And yet, is such a reclamation even possible after one has been annexed or occupied?
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The company appears to be eyeing up the market currently occupied by Sonos and has its own ecosystem with a range of wireless speakers and streamers offering the same kind of convenience as Sonos but at more competitive prices.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The center display was made larger in part by reclaiming space formerly occupied by hard navigation buttons and relocating the volume dial to the trim just below it.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
Unlike traditional jobs, a legislative day can last longer than 24 hours or stretch across multiple calendar days, and senators are usually occupied year-round with other responsibilities.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
About 48% of housing units are owner-occupied, while 52% are renter-occupied.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Guests will once again be welcomed into a recording studio, this time occupied by members of the Electric Mayhem band, penguins working as audio engineers and Scooter, who’s rushing to get the band on stage in front of fans.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Another version of Hôtel Balzac occupied this space before the current one, but word on the street is that the former venue—with heavy curtains, decadent fleur-de-lis bed spreads, and a real King Louis XIV aesthetic—was due for a makeover.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
If approved by the Naperville City Council, the rezoning would allow Lakewest to construct a four-story building with six condo units on the site, which is currently occupied by an office building and parking lot.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupied
Adjective
-
Lonnie Lathan, another resident, echoed that sentiment, saying homeowners are more likely to stay engaged.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The couple met in 1998, became engaged in 2004 and married in 2005.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What interested him most about returning to the role was playing those contradictions at once.—
Anushka Halve,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
-
What interested me in photographing Chalmers wasn’t capturing the disembodied ideas.—
Dan Turello,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
China has been particularly busy, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Starmer all visiting Beijing this month.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
But Greenstein says that keeping your child’s favorite toys handy in one spot around the home where kids feel comfortable and safe can give busy parents some time (even if just a few minutes) to call a friend, make a cup of coffee, take that shower, or even do a quick workout routine.—
Jillian Pretzel,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So the pair dropped the idea and became fully immersed in creating the Key Biscayne Film Festival.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Being immersed in generations-old craft, watching people who are supported, protected, and valued for their labor, gave me clarity.—
Anne McDonald,
Architectural Digest,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Russell notes that he was particularly intrigued by his role.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Judy was intrigued, both by the suitcase and the man who gave it to her.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Learning how to study a football scouting report or work through a practice script can make a basketball player all the more diligent.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Darnold has to be diligent in seeing the Rams’ coverage rotations and making good decisions.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His June assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities had two carrier groups in the region, more there as a counter-weight to any Iranian reprisals than to be directly involved in the attack.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
For Chappell, Spygate was involved in his decision.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In his youth, Mendonça was fascinated by the city’s grand cinema palaces.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The avant-garde, too, was fascinated by the idea of provoking psychological responses in spectators through art.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupied. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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