OCCUPYING Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

occupying

verb

present participle of occupy

as in interesting

to hold the attention of a puzzle will occupy that child for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Pauli exclusion principle prevents identical fermions from occupying the same quantum state. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026 In 1970, she and fellow protesters were arrested and jailed after occupying the offices of the counterculture Grove Press, whose owner, Barney Rosset, was fighting employees’ efforts to unionize. — Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Tend to the mundane tasks occupying your to-do list, Sagittarius. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 Freya Reports News rebranded as Victoria Foster, while a new persona began occupying the Freya Reports account. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Today, the property has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, with the primary suite occupying much of the lower level and including dressing areas, a bathroom, and a private study. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026 The tunnel under Central Park West is a two-level tunnel, with downtown local and express service occupying the bottom level. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 The alerts have piled up, with cyclospora occupying much of the attention this year, as the parasitic infection gave explosive diarrhea to people in 48 states. — Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Pro football represents about 50% of the website’s traffic, while the NBA and MLB are the next most popular, occupying about 35% to 40% combined. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying

Verb

Our formula is based on the universal pleasure of solving a mystery, immersing oneself in an adventure, identifying with inspiring characters, and sharing that sense of liberation so characteristic of adolescence.

— Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Short-term corrosion testing involved immersing the lattice in natural seawater from Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of immersing

Verb

The female forward is in front of the camera, behind the camera, really getting women, intriguing them to come to the service and watch.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 21 June 2026

Definition of intriguing

Verb

Folsom police said complaints involving the devices have risen sharply, particularly those involving juveniles on roads, in parks and on bike paths.

— Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026
In Mexico, a recent wave of attacks involving drones equipped with explosives put authorities on alert.

— Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of involving

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

Definition of fascinating

Verb

After busying ourselves with fly fishing on the Snake River, rafting, horseback riding and touring Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, there hasn’t been much time for reflection.

— Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of busying

Verb

The 21-year-old ultimately chose Sunderland and completed his move to the Stadium of Light, having scored 19 goals in 84 appearances for Lyon and after attracting interest from Premier League title holders Arsenal.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, urea, and sodium PCA round out the formula by attracting and holding onto water.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of attracting

Browse Nearby Words

occupy

occupying

occur

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“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of occupying

verb

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