as in interesting
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
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Recent Examples of occupying
The water of the deep lake is stratified, with a shallow layer of fresh rainwater occupying the upper 150 feet.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Isak was one of five Liverpool players tasked with occupying defenders across the opposition back five, while Ryan Gravenberch — constantly looking to receive the ball between United’s pressing centre-forwards, turning, and driving into midfield — was the main supplier.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The Israel Defense Forces are investigating reports Israeli troops who were occupying a key sewage treatment plant in Gaza set it ablaze amid a drawdown of their forces from much of the enclave's territory last week as a part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
—Chris Looft, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
Upon boarding, the user found a mother and her roughly 1-year-old infant occupying the middle and window seats.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Videos and images circulating on social media show BASE jumpers leaping from El Capitan, unauthorized campers occupying closed campgrounds, and climbers scaling Half Dome’s cables without permits — all in violation of park regulations.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Approaching a dramatic role is very much occupying that character from the inside, finding the emotional truth of it rather than doing a kind of impression of that character.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
The military campaign appeased his far-right coalition partners, who called to expand Israel’s assault on Gaza and dreamed of fully re-occupying the territory.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The best hotels in Montréal capitalize on the city’s charms, with many occupying historic landmarks like 18th-century merchant houses or even the original headquarters of Canada’s famed jeweler Birks.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Isak was one of five Liverpool players tasked with occupying defenders across the opposition back five, while Ryan Gravenberch — constantly looking to receive the ball between United’s pressing centre-forwards, turning, and driving into midfield — was the main supplier.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The Israel Defense Forces are investigating reports Israeli troops who were occupying a key sewage treatment plant in Gaza set it ablaze amid a drawdown of their forces from much of the enclave's territory last week as a part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
—Chris Looft, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
Upon boarding, the user found a mother and her roughly 1-year-old infant occupying the middle and window seats.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Videos and images circulating on social media show BASE jumpers leaping from El Capitan, unauthorized campers occupying closed campgrounds, and climbers scaling Half Dome’s cables without permits — all in violation of park regulations.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Approaching a dramatic role is very much occupying that character from the inside, finding the emotional truth of it rather than doing a kind of impression of that character.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
The military campaign appeased his far-right coalition partners, who called to expand Israel’s assault on Gaza and dreamed of fully re-occupying the territory.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The best hotels in Montréal capitalize on the city’s charms, with many occupying historic landmarks like 18th-century merchant houses or even the original headquarters of Canada’s famed jeweler Birks.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
Verb
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One of the main ways Crampton was able to persevere was by using her skills as a chef and immersing herself in nutrition to accelerate her recovery.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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The first campaign sees Doherty exploring and immersing himself within Jamaica’s vibrant culture alongside former Miss Universe Jamaica, Miqueal-Symone Williams.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lithuania has closed its largest airport and land border crossings with Belarus following the latest incident involving balloons launched from Belarusian territory.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Investigators pointed to a March 23, 2023, game involving Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Much like her idol Marlene Dietrich, Novak walked away from the business under her own steam, and has largely kept to herself, marrying an equine veterinarian and busying herself raising horses and painting.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Campton, New Hampshire, is also attracting travelers to New England with a mix of snowy outdoor adventures and seclusion for rest and relaxation.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
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But attracting and training thousands more could take years.—
Elliot Haspel,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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