as in interesting
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of occupying
Inside, authorities found fresh groceries, animals, and other signs that people are actively occupying some of the units.
—
Nina Burns, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
In this next example, from the 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace last month, Smith Rowe and Samuel Chukwueze are occupying the visitors’ wide centre-backs while Timothy Castagne and Kenny Tete are pinning the wing-backs, allowing Wilson and Jimenez to overload Maxence Lacroix in the middle.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The rooms are generously sized, with the humblest Ocean Suite still occupying nearly 700 square feet and the most generous of the Presidential Suites (one of which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stayed in at the conclusion of their 2022 Caribbean tour) claiming more than 3,000.
—Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
In her video, King also showed that the person seated in front of her had a window, but the person occupying it had closed the shade.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
In August, one of their practices was delayed due to UTA’s sports teams occupying the practice court and a graduation ceremony on campus.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Ditto the echoes of The Civil War, also examining a battle that pit brother against brother, and The Vietnam War, in which America became the occupying imperial force failing to understand or successfully combat a domestic insurgence.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Currently, there are no other films occupying that date.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Many Chicagoans and residents of the surrounding areas view federal agents already deployed to the city as an occupying force.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Nina Burns, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
In this next example, from the 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace last month, Smith Rowe and Samuel Chukwueze are occupying the visitors’ wide centre-backs while Timothy Castagne and Kenny Tete are pinning the wing-backs, allowing Wilson and Jimenez to overload Maxence Lacroix in the middle.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The rooms are generously sized, with the humblest Ocean Suite still occupying nearly 700 square feet and the most generous of the Presidential Suites (one of which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stayed in at the conclusion of their 2022 Caribbean tour) claiming more than 3,000.
—Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
In her video, King also showed that the person seated in front of her had a window, but the person occupying it had closed the shade.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
In August, one of their practices was delayed due to UTA’s sports teams occupying the practice court and a graduation ceremony on campus.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Ditto the echoes of The Civil War, also examining a battle that pit brother against brother, and The Vietnam War, in which America became the occupying imperial force failing to understand or successfully combat a domestic insurgence.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Currently, there are no other films occupying that date.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Many Chicagoans and residents of the surrounding areas view federal agents already deployed to the city as an occupying force.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
Verb
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To soak your clothes prior to washing, fill a bucket or your bathtub with cool to warm water and add 1 cup of vinegar before immersing your clothes into the solution.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Best Times to Visit for Good Weather Late spring through the summer is the best time to enjoy warm temperatures, perfect for immersing yourself in the stunning natural splendors of the Pacific Northwest.—
Scott Bay,
Travel + Leisure,
4 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
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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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There were two deadly shootings in Middlesex County, New Jersey, just hours apart this weekend, both involving teenagers.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 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
Verb
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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
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Much like her idol Marlene Dietrich, Novak walked away from the business under her own steam, and has largely kept to herself, marrying an equine veterinarian and busying herself raising horses and painting.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Cities are increasingly focused on attracting visitors who stay longer, spend more, and travel responsibly.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Border Patrol experienced a similar shift during its hiring surge, attracting individuals with strong anti-immigrant views or a desire for quasi-military action.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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