as in interesting
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
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Recent Examples of occupying
If bits are mere mortals, occupying space and time, qubits possess omnipresence and telepathy.
—
Aldo Svaldi, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
If bits are mere mortals, occupying space and time, qubits possess omnipresence and telepathy.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
The Aura Cedar Outdoor Bar from Modern Shade is just under eight feet long, five feet wide, and eight feet tall, with a dual-level bar running along one of the long walls and a TV mount occupying the other.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The kitchen is placed nearby and is pretty large for a tiny house, occupying the lion's share of the available floorspace downstairs.
—Adam Williams
may 15, New Atlas, 15 May 2026
The man occupying the seat next to mine was leaning forward, torso folded at the waist like a collapsible chair, his face amazingly close to my knees.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Any occupying force will have to assume that its logistics are under constant surveillance and attack.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
What if both families occupying a duplex wanted to buy it?
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Cavanaugh’s allies have accused Powell’s backers of trying to buy the election, while Powell has targeted Cavanaugh over his decision to run while occupying a key Democratic seat in the state’s majority-Republican legislature.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Aldo Svaldi, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
If bits are mere mortals, occupying space and time, qubits possess omnipresence and telepathy.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
The Aura Cedar Outdoor Bar from Modern Shade is just under eight feet long, five feet wide, and eight feet tall, with a dual-level bar running along one of the long walls and a TV mount occupying the other.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The kitchen is placed nearby and is pretty large for a tiny house, occupying the lion's share of the available floorspace downstairs.
—Adam Williams
may 15, New Atlas, 15 May 2026
The man occupying the seat next to mine was leaning forward, torso folded at the waist like a collapsible chair, his face amazingly close to my knees.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Any occupying force will have to assume that its logistics are under constant surveillance and attack.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
What if both families occupying a duplex wanted to buy it?
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Cavanaugh’s allies have accused Powell’s backers of trying to buy the election, while Powell has targeted Cavanaugh over his decision to run while occupying a key Democratic seat in the state’s majority-Republican legislature.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
Verb
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As in previous seasons, the production is expected to fully or partially buy out its hotel locations while immersing itself deeply in the surrounding destination.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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West is great at immersing us in the atmosphere and mores of the 1800s, in which Elswyth can’t find the time to use her skills in botany (she’s been accepted at Oxford) because her real job is finding someone to support her and her family.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
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And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
-
There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Camp Miasma, specifically one (ahem) climactic scene involving Billy’s character, has triggered something in Kris.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
The May 10 episode of Season 3 prompted backlash online over a plotline involving the Cassie Howard character, played by Sydney Sweeney.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The song vamps where Railings used to weave and wind, its ever-busying rhythm section building tension atop its harmonic simplicity.—
Craig Heed,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Had Steve Smith been fit and available to play, then the 31-year-old would have been patrolling another part of the field; maybe busying himself in the covers, or chirping away from under a lid at short leg.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The area One of the most beautiful areas to visit in Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is very popular during the high summer season between December and March, attracting many trekkers to hike the famous W or Q circuits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Clean any spills, especially sugary liquids or alcohol, promptly to avoid attracting fruit flies.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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