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
Asked to describe her thematic preoccupations as a filmmaker, Sode offers a succinct formulation.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupation
Noun
-
Against the backdrop of the city's elegant architecture, Lopez floated through the evening in a voluminous butter yellow gown that captured two of fashion's current obsessions.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
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The first book was published the same year as Serial debuted, kicking off our burgeoning obsession with true crime and our tendency to romanticize the male perpetrators while often homogenizing their overwhelmingly female victims into cautionary tales.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
11 June 2026
Noun
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What to do with your new toy, a toy that has had serious batting trouble with its stars, with severe problems driving in runs, and pitching hanging by a torn ligament?—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
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However, the Knicks had a major problem almost immediately after halftime.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupation. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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