as in to interest
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of occupy
The intermediary Today, Sánchez Arveláiz occupies a position that defies traditional labels.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
As both Pilate and Herod acknowledged, in different versions of the story, Jesus had done nothing to deserve death, under the laws of the Jews or of the Romans who occupied and ruled the Holy Land at the time.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Today, five are regularly occupied and a sixth will be put into full rotation with additional surgical staff arriving.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
James Uthmeier is the least qualified person to occupy the office of Florida attorney general in decades.
—Howard L. Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
As both Pilate and Herod acknowledged, in different versions of the story, Jesus had done nothing to deserve death, under the laws of the Jews or of the Romans who occupied and ruled the Holy Land at the time.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Today, five are regularly occupied and a sixth will be put into full rotation with additional surgical staff arriving.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
James Uthmeier is the least qualified person to occupy the office of Florida attorney general in decades.
—Howard L. Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupy
Verb
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For eight minutes, the astronauts are free to focus on any surface features or patterns that interest them.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
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If Native American sites interest you, continue eight miles down the road to the Newark Earthworks, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2023.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For associations, unit owners will know what to expect in actions seeking to remove a director, and courts could become more involved in governance disputes involving dysfunctional boards, developer transitions, or allegations of financial mismanagement.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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The sport’s biggest star is a 50-year-old man who during its biggest week is currently overseas recovering from his latest off-the-course incident involving the police.—
Mac Engel
April 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, Maul is also intrigued by the prospect of recruiting a new apprentice, a Jedi Padawan named Devon.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2026
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When Reverend Jeff Hood — a spiritual advisor who accompanies men on death row — reached out to him on Facebook, though, he was intrigued.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There's a headphone jack for wired headphones, to really immerse yourself like you time-warped back to a scene from Stranger Things, plus the cassette player can rewind and fast-forward to a fave song for that true tactile action.—
Shirl Leigh
April 06,
New Atlas,
6 Apr. 2026
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The older two initially resist their parents’ appeals to immerse themselves in nature, but the youngest, who is mute, explores the area and finds a magical tree inhabited by a group of extraordinary characters.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These two continue to fascinate me.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This is your chance to pursue whatever subject most fascinates you.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On May 21st, an antiwar teach-in at the University of California, Berkeley, attracted thirty-thousand people and lasted thirty-six hours.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Key Takeaways Wilmington’s coastal North Carolina location attracts movie makers and vacationers with mild temperatures, beaches, and riverfront scenery.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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About 90 minutes after the lockdown took effect, the Naval Academy’s deputy commandant emailed students, telling them that as law enforcement worked to secure the school, a midshipman mistook police for a threat and engaged them, according to the official.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, Hunter Schafer’s Jules is a painter moonlighting as a sugar baby; Jacob Elordi’s Nate, an eager young developer engaged to Cassie; and Maude Apatow’s Lexi, a Hollywood assistant to a prolific showrunner (Sharon Stone).—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupy. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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