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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of occupied
Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
Ministers sought to pressure both Hamas and settlers French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the ministers decided to sanction Hamas leaders and both leaders and organizations in the Israeli settler movement in the occupied West Bank.
—Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Reid is facing 10 charges, including burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, burglary of an occupied dwelling and criminal mischief of more than $200 but less than $1,000, jail records show.
—Sofia Saric
may 7, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
According to rights groups, Israeli settler violence has surged in the occupied West Bank in recent weeks.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 2 May 2026
An Israeli military battalion that assaulted and detained a CNN team in the occupied West Bank has been redeployed after a one-month suspension, an Israeli security source told CNN.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
In the occupied West Bank, as in all other places, human and animal vulnerabilities are intertwined.
—Irus Braverman, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
Its power has withered amid years without peace negotiations and Israel tightening its grip on the occupied West Bank.
—Sam Metz, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Don’t call 911 unless a tree has fallen on an occupied home or downed power lines.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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
The state recently removed adverse possession laws (which, like squatter’s rights, governed whether a person who had occupied a property that the person didn’t own could claim legal ownership).
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
The photo’s circulation follows two other incidents in Debel, a small, predominantly Christian village in southern Lebanon that the Israeli military has occupied for weeks.
—Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
The backstory Legend has it that a watermelon stand once occupied the site, and the hotel’s custom bedside lamps include a melon as a wink to its fruity past.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Many of them include educational programs and things for kids to do, keeping them occupied if parents are shoveling compost.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Just last year, the Trust for Public Land scored the city way down at 90th out of 100 cities, the kind of mortifying ranking usually occupied in other categories by Mississippi (sorry, Mississippi).
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Elsewhere, guests can explore TAZ-mania, a tropical landscape occupied by the chaotic Tasmanian Devil.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Adjective
Israel advanced a bill on Tuesday that would expand Israeli civilian authority sweeping authority over antiquities and archaeology in the occupied West Bank, a move that human rights groups warned would lead to the annexation of the Palestinian territory.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
Ministers sought to pressure both Hamas and settlers French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the ministers decided to sanction Hamas leaders and both leaders and organizations in the Israeli settler movement in the occupied West Bank.
—Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Reid is facing 10 charges, including burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, burglary of an occupied dwelling and criminal mischief of more than $200 but less than $1,000, jail records show.
—Sofia Saric
may 7, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
According to rights groups, Israeli settler violence has surged in the occupied West Bank in recent weeks.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 2 May 2026
An Israeli military battalion that assaulted and detained a CNN team in the occupied West Bank has been redeployed after a one-month suspension, an Israeli security source told CNN.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
In the occupied West Bank, as in all other places, human and animal vulnerabilities are intertwined.
—Irus Braverman, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
Its power has withered amid years without peace negotiations and Israel tightening its grip on the occupied West Bank.
—Sam Metz, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Don’t call 911 unless a tree has fallen on an occupied home or downed power lines.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 22 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
The state recently removed adverse possession laws (which, like squatter’s rights, governed whether a person who had occupied a property that the person didn’t own could claim legal ownership).
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
The photo’s circulation follows two other incidents in Debel, a small, predominantly Christian village in southern Lebanon that the Israeli military has occupied for weeks.
—Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
The backstory Legend has it that a watermelon stand once occupied the site, and the hotel’s custom bedside lamps include a melon as a wink to its fruity past.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Many of them include educational programs and things for kids to do, keeping them occupied if parents are shoveling compost.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Just last year, the Trust for Public Land scored the city way down at 90th out of 100 cities, the kind of mortifying ranking usually occupied in other categories by Mississippi (sorry, Mississippi).
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Elsewhere, guests can explore TAZ-mania, a tropical landscape occupied by the chaotic Tasmanian Devil.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupied
Adjective
-
The current administration has taken a more disciplined approach to accountability, and congressional Republicans have been more engaged in providing the kind of oversight the Constitution envisions.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
As such, participants, as well as those who are simply interested in what Collins and AFP have to share, are encouraged to stay engaged and informed through ongoing content and social platforms, particularly through Freedom is Bigger.—
William Jones,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
As to why the format interested him, Hawley pointed to a similarity with Fargo.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
With his decision made, Kerr will have a busy summer.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
-
The quick turnaround was a whirlwind for Griffin, who bolted from Westchester to the busy downtown Brooklyn streets.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
9 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
-
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
Adjective
-
In the end, after a monthslong investigation and diligent forensic work, partial remains of 70 of the 110 victims were identified and returned to family members who, to this day, carry the pain of that day in 1996.—
Hank Tester,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
The Devil’s Chair Trail was previously closed because of storm damage, but reopened about two weeks ago, thanks to the diligent work of county staff.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
7 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
“Occupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupied. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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