as in obsession
something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned
the future entomologist's preoccupation with insects from a very early age
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Recent Examples of preoccupation
Koepp was referring, of course, to Spielberg’s multi-film preoccupation with visitors from outer space.
—
Darryn King, Vanity Fair, 19 May 2026
Pick your new preoccupation this weekend.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Jobs are a central preoccupation of hers.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
That game illuminates the tension between self and community that has fueled the show’s longevity, and reflects the preoccupations of a country that has always been torn between the two.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Darryn King, Vanity Fair, 19 May 2026
Pick your new preoccupation this weekend.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Jobs are a central preoccupation of hers.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
That game illuminates the tension between self and community that has fueled the show’s longevity, and reflects the preoccupations of a country that has always been torn between the two.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupation
Noun
-
In fact, while bitcoin’s been in a price slump, the stock market has notched several all-time record highs and capital is rotating elsewhere as investors chase the chip rally and their obsession with AI infrastructure grows.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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Interest in the author’s life can curdle into obsession, as in Henry James’s The Aspern Papers, in which the narrator embraces any deception necessary to acquire the letters of a dead poet.—
Walt Hunter,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Noun
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If a fetus becomes infected, toxoplasmosis can lead to a range of health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, jaundice or other liver problems, abnormal blood counts, rashes, eye disease, developmental delays, seizures, brain calcification, and in extreme cases, stillbirth.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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What are some potential solutions for when this problem arises again could be the key to unlocking another title, regardless of any personnel changes that might happen.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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