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 host acts as dead weight, occupying space without contributing any heat-storage capacity, ultimately diluting the material’s overall efficiency.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
The center will be a cultural hub of different organizations occupying the space and other developing ideas, such as a performance space, workshops on leadership for underrepresented communities and a tool lending library for community projects.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Interior enforcement can have real consequences without terrorizing entire neighborhoods or requiring a federal agency that operates like a violent, masked occupying force.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The same sad and sinister menace occupying 1600 Penn.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
But only one of A&M's conference wins is ranked among the top of the standings heading into Saturday, with five of their other six opponents occupying the five lowest spots in the SEC.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Hojlund occupying Wesley Fofana, with Vergara and Eljif Elmas staying relatively high, meant their back three were all pinned.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The invasion of an American city by a federal occupying force might finally have stirred the conscience of the people.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
As of that month, however, Leiweke was reportedly still occupying a seat on the Oak View board as vice chairman.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
The center will be a cultural hub of different organizations occupying the space and other developing ideas, such as a performance space, workshops on leadership for underrepresented communities and a tool lending library for community projects.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
Interior enforcement can have real consequences without terrorizing entire neighborhoods or requiring a federal agency that operates like a violent, masked occupying force.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The same sad and sinister menace occupying 1600 Penn.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
But only one of A&M's conference wins is ranked among the top of the standings heading into Saturday, with five of their other six opponents occupying the five lowest spots in the SEC.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Hojlund occupying Wesley Fofana, with Vergara and Eljif Elmas staying relatively high, meant their back three were all pinned.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The invasion of an American city by a federal occupying force might finally have stirred the conscience of the people.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
As of that month, however, Leiweke was reportedly still occupying a seat on the Oak View board as vice chairman.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
Verb
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While immersing themselves in vintage dance, Cathleen and James had their day jobs.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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The system includes several easy-to-use tools for enhancing dialogue or immersing yourself in surround sound, all without waking any light sleepers or disturbing the neighbors.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
-
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
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Slusser emerged as the central figure opposing the university during a 2024 scandal involving trans athlete Blaire Fleming.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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This enables users to remotely run complex experiments involving AI and other cutting-edge methods 24/7.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 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
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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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Muns credits the city’s pro-business approach and open-mindedness for its success in attracting and retaining businesses, and said Plano’s economic development strategy is essential to supporting its quality of life.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Edwards would probably have loved a few more new faces, but attracting them to a club already doomed to relegation was tricky.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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