Synonyms of preoccupied

preoccupied 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd 

as in distracted

lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions

too preoccupied with her worries to enjoy the meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distracted
• bewildered
• absent
• dazed
• confused
• absentminded
• abstracted
• oblivious
• forgetting
• absorbed
• forgetful
• unaware
• engrossed
• pensive
• dreaming
• daydreaming
• inattentive
• unconscious
• dreamy
• unmindful
• rapt
• heedless
• intent
• bemused
• unfocused
• unthinking
• clueless
• muddled
• scatterbrained
• unwitting
• faraway
• unperceptive
• vacant
• unfocussed
• unknowing
• unheeding
• foggy
• hazy
• befuddled
• unwary
• insensible
• befogged
• flighty
• birdbrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engaged
• alert
• aware
• conscious
• wary
• attentive
• alive
• mindful
• vigilant
• watchful
• observant
• sharp
• observing
• wide-awake
• heedful
• heads-up
• open-eyed
• clearheaded

preoccupied

2 of 2

verb

past tense of preoccupy

as in interested

to be thought about or worried about by (someone) very often or constantly

The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.

Related Words

• interested
• intrigued
• fascinated
• distracted
• occupied
• engrossed
• busied
• involved
• immersed
• attracted
• gripped
• obsessed
• engaged
• enthralled
• captivated
• absorbed
• bemused
• caught up
• charmed
• enwrapped
• bewitched
• enchanted
• beguiled
• allured

Dissimilar Words

• tired
• bored
• wearied
• jaded
• palled

Synonym Chooser

How is the word preoccupied distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of preoccupied are absentminded, absent, abstracted, and distracted. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

When would absent be a good substitute for preoccupied?

Although the words absent and preoccupied have much in common, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

In what contexts can absentminded take the place of preoccupied?

The meanings of absentminded and preoccupied largely overlap; however, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

When is abstracted a more appropriate choice than preoccupied?

The words abstracted and preoccupied can be used in similar contexts, but abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

When is it sensible to use distracted instead of preoccupied?

While in some cases nearly identical to preoccupied, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preoccupied

Adjective

By the early 2000s, Rolling Stone seemed overly preoccupied with Boomer artists of fading vitality; Spin, while containing punchy criticism, was a glossy consumer magazine inflected by celebrity and fashion. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025

Large business units may be too preoccupied with the present to focus on the future. —Carolyn Said, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Verb

The hotel fell into some level of disrepair as the prior ownership group was preoccupied with three court proceedings that were filed in an attempt to retain control of the property, according to BrightSpire. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025

Deena is preoccupied by her romantic designs on Maddie and general horniness. —Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025