as in interesting
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
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Recent Examples of occupying
According to the report, the positions of the Howitzers were changed three days before the event, occupying a 50-by-50-meter box that was smaller than originally planned.
—
Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Sid lives in the town of Matakana with her single, sometimes-neglectful alcoholic father Leo (Noah Taylor), who wanted to be a painter but now mows the lawns of rich neighbors and visiting Auckland rich boys occupying the beachfront mansions nearby in Omaha.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
The teacher draws a tightrope separating two dimensions with an acrobat occupying the space above the tightrope, and a flea, who is able to walk both above and below the tightrope.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
DiCaprio and Wahlberg’s careers have actually intersected in curious spots over the years despite the two occupying different territory in Hollywood.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The appointment-only Wild West Store (that is also without a website) is perhaps one of the best and certainly most hidden boot shops in Texas, occupying a slightly offkilter cottage near Wimberley Square.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
About a year ago, Sage unveiled its North American headquarters near Ponce City Market, occupying two-thirds of a swanky new building’s office floors.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Absent adequate living conditions, many workers improvised, illegally occupying areas outside the city and building themselves shelter with whatever materials were available.
—Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026
Denver guarded Bruce Brown and Christian Braun have ended up occupying that space more without him.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Sid lives in the town of Matakana with her single, sometimes-neglectful alcoholic father Leo (Noah Taylor), who wanted to be a painter but now mows the lawns of rich neighbors and visiting Auckland rich boys occupying the beachfront mansions nearby in Omaha.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
The teacher draws a tightrope separating two dimensions with an acrobat occupying the space above the tightrope, and a flea, who is able to walk both above and below the tightrope.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
DiCaprio and Wahlberg’s careers have actually intersected in curious spots over the years despite the two occupying different territory in Hollywood.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
The appointment-only Wild West Store (that is also without a website) is perhaps one of the best and certainly most hidden boot shops in Texas, occupying a slightly offkilter cottage near Wimberley Square.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
About a year ago, Sage unveiled its North American headquarters near Ponce City Market, occupying two-thirds of a swanky new building’s office floors.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Absent adequate living conditions, many workers improvised, illegally occupying areas outside the city and building themselves shelter with whatever materials were available.
—Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026
Denver guarded Bruce Brown and Christian Braun have ended up occupying that space more without him.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
Verb
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This energy can lend itself to immersing yourself in creative undertakings and healing self-work but isn’t exactly the best for anything that requires absolute clarity, facts, figures, or even speediness.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Clear things up with your ex before immersing yourself in his church.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The likes of Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca and Roberto De Zerbi are intriguing new options, but none offer the combination of experience, tactical flexibility and past silverware than Tuchel, a manager who brings solidity in and out of possession.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kerr did not specify whether or not Curry had begun drills involving physical contact, only reiterating that an update would come Saturday.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
More complex cases — such as those involving multiple years of unfiled returns or large tax debts — generally result in higher total costs.—
Adam Palasciano,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 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
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
-
This domestic focus, however, doesn’t mean Kojima isn’t attracting global interest.—
Jessica Binns,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Mar. 2026
-
By that point, quantum information science was attracting a bit of buzz.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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