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
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
For younger men, relationship stress was the biggest preoccupation, reaching a peak of concern in boys 14 to 17, and then decreasing with age while isolation and loneliness became more of an issue, peaking at 65.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 12 May 2026
Instead, there is coping and emotional growth for these figures, who, in the third act, provide their elders with an opportunity to come to terms with their own preoccupations and pasts.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
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
For younger men, relationship stress was the biggest preoccupation, reaching a peak of concern in boys 14 to 17, and then decreasing with age while isolation and loneliness became more of an issue, peaking at 65.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 12 May 2026
Instead, there is coping and emotional growth for these figures, who, in the third act, provide their elders with an opportunity to come to terms with their own preoccupations and pasts.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupation
Noun
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That moment turned Toney’s passion into an obsession.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Fung portrays the film’s male protagonist – a creator pushed to the edge by desperation and obsession – while Chau and Wu play his wife and former lover respectively.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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