as in interesting
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of occupying
The 860-square foot penthouse suite is the fanciest of them all, occupying the entire top floor but, for those of us who haven’t won the lottery (yet), the Boulevard Suite with its high ceilings and windows overlooking Passeig de Gràcia will do just fine.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
While occupying the catwalk, contestants were allowed three ten-minute breaks and a twenty-minute shower each day.
—Jonathan Odden, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The league and its media ecosystem were never comfortable with a White player, whether European or American, occupying the throne as basketball's unquestioned king.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Aamir Bhiyani’s trumpet enters only halfway through, occupying a higher frequency range to cut through the dense percussive spiral.
—Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 1 June 2026
The Question Investors Are Asking During last Sunday’s 60 Minutes interview, Andrew Ross Sorkin raised a question that is increasingly occupying investors' minds.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The company says its selection approach is driven by performance data, with every title required to show active audience traction rather than simply occupying catalog space.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 May 2026
Her art also grew larger, occupying monumental proportions for commissions done in the 1980s and ’90s.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026
Israeli attacks have largely remained south of the Litani River, where Israeli troops are also occupying a swath of territory along the border, while Hezbollah has continued to target Israel border communities with drones and rockets.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
While occupying the catwalk, contestants were allowed three ten-minute breaks and a twenty-minute shower each day.
—Jonathan Odden, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The league and its media ecosystem were never comfortable with a White player, whether European or American, occupying the throne as basketball's unquestioned king.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Aamir Bhiyani’s trumpet enters only halfway through, occupying a higher frequency range to cut through the dense percussive spiral.
—Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 1 June 2026
The Question Investors Are Asking During last Sunday’s 60 Minutes interview, Andrew Ross Sorkin raised a question that is increasingly occupying investors' minds.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The company says its selection approach is driven by performance data, with every title required to show active audience traction rather than simply occupying catalog space.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 May 2026
Her art also grew larger, occupying monumental proportions for commissions done in the 1980s and ’90s.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026
Israeli attacks have largely remained south of the Litani River, where Israeli troops are also occupying a swath of territory along the border, while Hezbollah has continued to target Israel border communities with drones and rockets.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
Verb
-
Venus and Jupiter align in Cancer in the part of your chart governing long journeys, higher learning, and international exploration, making the first two weeks especially ripe for immersing yourself in a new culture and simply having a wonderful time.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
-
The center caps its three-week sessions at 15 guests and describes its mission as immersing participants in practices and behaviors that might otherwise take years to develop through outpatient therapy alone.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Julian was killed on Saturday, May 30, after a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle near Signal Butte Road and State Route 24, according to the Mesa Police Department, as reported by NBC affiliate 12News.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
One person is dead, and two others were taken to the hospital after a crash involving multiple vehicles in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Tuesday afternoon, police said.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Members of the group participate in several demonstrations a year, usually attracting at least 100 participants.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Montana’s senior senator and one of its two members of Congress are not running for reelection this year, attracting crowded fields of both Republicans and Democrats seeking to replace them.—
Washington Post staff,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
