as in to interest
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of occupy
That science is based on how red light — which occupies the longer wavelengths on the visible light spectrum — impacts mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of cells.
—
Maria Godoy, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Under the terms of the agreement, SDSU would occupy approximately 6,505 square feet of interior classroom space and a 718-square-foot exterior patio.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Consider a Magnetic Knife Rack A bulky knife block can occupy valuable counter space and is among the germiest places in your kitchen.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
Goals will be in short supply whenever Montreal’s Ann-Renée Desbiens and Boston’s Aerin Frankel — two of the league’s best netminders — occupy the opposing blue paint.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Maria Godoy, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Under the terms of the agreement, SDSU would occupy approximately 6,505 square feet of interior classroom space and a 718-square-foot exterior patio.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Consider a Magnetic Knife Rack A bulky knife block can occupy valuable counter space and is among the germiest places in your kitchen.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
Goals will be in short supply whenever Montreal’s Ann-Renée Desbiens and Boston’s Aerin Frankel — two of the league’s best netminders — occupy the opposing blue paint.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupy
Verb
-
If someone dominates the conversation, pivot with a smart question — try to say something that could interest quieter individuals, so everyone gets a chance to speak.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Students who are more intentional about how their major connects to real opportunities — that actually interest them — tend to pull ahead.—
Rasheem Rooke,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pair of Brooklyn North narcotics detectives involved in the clash thought the man matched the description of someone who had just made a drug sale, a police source said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Leo is to preside over a peace meeting involving a Mankon traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam and a Catholic nun.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The band members took note of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl triumph, entirely in Spanish, and they’re intrigued by the idea of following his lead.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Apple Basket Many products in the collection also feature an apple motif, including a charming pillow and even a wooden salt cellar and doormat, but we’re most intrigued by the bamboo and rattan apple basket.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Place lemons, peppercorns, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick in Mason jar, and enough juice to immerse the lemons.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
In 2006, Lamont, fueled by his personal fortune and some savvy political advisers, visited local Democratic party committees and immersed himself in the drudgery of running a statewide campaign.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
In the book, Oppenheimer noted a family legend that Kennedy was fascinated by bugs as an infant; by the age of nine, the book said, Kennedy had a pet collection that included raccoons, rats, a horse, a calf, lizards, chickens, and snakes.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
16 Apr. 2026
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The price of rotisserie and roast chicken has long fascinated New Yorkers.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Curry had two 3-pointers (one made, the other hit the rim) waved off because of offensive fouls that would have tied the score at 48 in the second quarter, prompting Kerr and Green to engage the referees in lengthy conversations.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
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That became a really fun method of engaging the character against her will.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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