as in interesting
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
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Recent Examples of occupying
Thorson is a native of Melbourne, Australia, which will allow the Vikings to keep him without occupying a roster spot.
—
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Despite the truce, both sides continue to strike each other, and Israeli forces have been occupying a buffer zone in Lebanon, demolishing some neighborhoods.
—Samy Magdy, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
For the workers, occupying a tenuous legal status can be worth it to be able to support their families, send their children to stronger schools and earn wages on a different scale than in their home countries.
—Theia Chatelle, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Illiana Christian’s Nick DeBlock is occupying a different headspace this season.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
For years, Netflix has been the anchor tenant at Sunset Studios, making the ICON building its Los Angeles headquarters and occupying the EPIC and CUE buildings as part of the complex on Sunset Boulevard.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Bill insisted on occupying the front passenger seat of the van due to severe motion sickness.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Despite the truce, both sides continue to strike each other, and Israeli forces have been occupying a buffer zone in Lebanon, demolishing some neighborhoods.
—Samy Magdy, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
For the workers, occupying a tenuous legal status can be worth it to be able to support their families, send their children to stronger schools and earn wages on a different scale than in their home countries.
—Theia Chatelle, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Illiana Christian’s Nick DeBlock is occupying a different headspace this season.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
For years, Netflix has been the anchor tenant at Sunset Studios, making the ICON building its Los Angeles headquarters and occupying the EPIC and CUE buildings as part of the complex on Sunset Boulevard.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Bill insisted on occupying the front passenger seat of the van due to severe motion sickness.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
Verb
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My immediate focus just getting out there and immersing myself in the park, getting to know the staff and the guests.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
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Salt water contains healing minerals and the sensation of immersing yourself in water has been found to be relaxing.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 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
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There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Months earlier, the shooter had extensive conversations with ChatGPT discussing scenarios involving gun violence, the lawsuits allege.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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Given the importance of preserving relations with the FCC, which has a say over a range of local station matters and must approve any mergers involving the transfer of broadcast licenses, LeGeyt has deliberately avoided a direct clash with his Washington counterpart.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 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
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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
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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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Lantana and marigolds handle sun with ease Lantana thrives on six to eight hours of full sunlight and pulls double duty by attracting butterflies.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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The legal fight started in March 2024, after Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners voted to rename the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, in hopes of highlighting its proximity to the Bay Area and attracting customers.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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