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
This and other information about U2’s current projects and preoccupations is found in a 54-page revival of the group’s old fanzine, Propaganda, which is available digitally as well as in print in some record shops.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
With the Epstein story approaching the 10-year mark as a global preoccupation, this nth phase of the intrigue, largely prompted by fallout from the Department of Justice’s July proclamation that there were no further criminal charges in the works, has spawned a potent cottage industry.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 14 Feb. 2026
His preoccupation with the DDA is an example.
—Delores Rangel, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Guojun’s abiding preoccupation, Song told me, was propagating his seed.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
With the Epstein story approaching the 10-year mark as a global preoccupation, this nth phase of the intrigue, largely prompted by fallout from the Department of Justice’s July proclamation that there were no further criminal charges in the works, has spawned a potent cottage industry.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 14 Feb. 2026
His preoccupation with the DDA is an example.
—Delores Rangel, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Guojun’s abiding preoccupation, Song told me, was propagating his seed.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupation
Noun
-
At the root of the trove of emails and depositions from Jeffrey Epstein released to the public is a concerningly underreported obsession with race and eugenics.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
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Advertisement Meanwhile, as the protagonist and Vladimir develop a connection, her growing obsession with him reawakens her long dormant creative drive.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Then there was the pesky problem of Big Ten travel.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Maddix was born by emergency C-section with an enlarged heart that was causing a laundry list of other medical problems.—
Libby Smith,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupation. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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