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
Food noise is a genuine phenomenon characterized by a constant preoccupation with food.
—
Alora Bopray, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Though each songwriter’s individual preoccupations and quirks are on display here, the interplay between Adducci and Grigoroff makes this feel like a joint effort.
—David Harris, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
More important, Paul’s preoccupations with the politics of circumcision, and with Jewish ritual generally, seem to fit badly within a first-century, pre-Jewish War context.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
By that time, concerns about fraud were a statewide preoccupation and a DFL political liability, later contributing to Walz’s decision not to seek a third term as governor.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Alora Bopray, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Though each songwriter’s individual preoccupations and quirks are on display here, the interplay between Adducci and Grigoroff makes this feel like a joint effort.
—David Harris, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
More important, Paul’s preoccupations with the politics of circumcision, and with Jewish ritual generally, seem to fit badly within a first-century, pre-Jewish War context.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
By that time, concerns about fraud were a statewide preoccupation and a DFL political liability, later contributing to Walz’s decision not to seek a third term as governor.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupation
Noun
-
Now, the Swedish flatpack giant believes its long-elusive obsession is, at long last, blowing up.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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This story made the most sense to me, and for the next forty years his death became the rationale and justification for my Vietnam War obsession.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Noun
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In other words, Greg had thought insomnia a problem of the rich, the weak, the useless, the indulgent, the lazy.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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But these problems are symptoms of a lack of housing and services, not evidence that policing is the right response.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupation. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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