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 property occupies a sizable 6,600-square-foot lot.
—
Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
The hearings will look at Israel’s obligations, both as a member of the United Nations and as an occupying power, toward the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
—Eugenia Yosef and Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Last spring, Harvard students protesting Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza occupied the university's central courtyard for 20 days and staged a 24-hour sit-in in another building.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The Israeli Defense Forces now claim to occupy some 30% of Gaza territory.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
The hearings will look at Israel’s obligations, both as a member of the United Nations and as an occupying power, toward the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
—Eugenia Yosef and Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Last spring, Harvard students protesting Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza occupied the university's central courtyard for 20 days and staged a 24-hour sit-in in another building.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The Israeli Defense Forces now claim to occupy some 30% of Gaza territory.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupy
Verb
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Employees can engage with opportunities that interest them, trying out new roles through short-term assignments before committing to a full career change.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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While working on 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary, Phillips said, Callis and Henderson would devolve into fits of laughter whenever Phillips tried to talk to Grant or Firth, who played Bridget’s love interests Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy, respectively.—
John Russell,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His work involved securing software using AI to find and close any loopholes where someone could exploit a vulnerability in the code.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Each spring since 2015, Pauly has called upon community scientists to document the mating behavior of alligator lizards, which involves the male holding the female in a bite, sometimes for days.—
Sean Greene,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Traditional hiring relies on candidates applying to your company, but elite talent needs to be sought out, engaged and intrigued by a unique opportunity.—
Sarah D'Souza,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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TikTok users have been excited and intrigued by these pitches — seeing them as attempts to not only spit on Trump’s plan but expose fashion surcharges and save money on luxury goods.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When buprenorphine arrived in the U.S. in 2002, the country was immersed in what would later be categorized as the first wave of the opioid epidemic.—
Ethan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2025
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No shirt, spliff in hand, and totally in his element, Wiz made sure the crowd was fully immersed in his trippy world.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Felix Studios/Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island Active guests will find plenty to busy themselves with, including opportunities to fish, kayak, paddleboard, and even scuba dive.—
Jason Chau,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2025
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In addition to helping customers with their plant selections, Mejia also rings them up at the register and then busies herself with tidying and organizing the shop.—
Karla Marie Sanford,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rather than being terrified or trying to kill her, Ravi is fascinated by her unusual condition.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2025
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Laura is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Your knowledge, combined with a strategic LinkedIn profile, creates a combination that attracts ideal clients who value substance over style.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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The Malayalam-language film headlined by Mohanlal attracted a strong turnout, underlining the steady appetite for South Asian cinema in the U.K. and Ireland market.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The engaging historical fiction balances a serious side and a strong sense of humor with its two different main characters: While Benedict has conservative leanings, Bergoglio is a liberal seeking church reform, and their debate tells a tale of human understanding and fallibility.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Sheinbaum was deeply engaged, but behind the scenes.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Occupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupy. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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