as in obsessions
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 preoccupations
These larger sociopolitical preoccupations remain just under the surface, never stepping fully into the foreground to take over the spotlight.
—
Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
Stocks tumbled in February after the latest producer price index showed unexpectedly hot wholesale prices, adding sticky inflation to the list of investors’ recent preoccupations.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
This triggers a slippery slope toward apostasy — that is, de-prioritizing mindedness toward church vetted preoccupations.
—Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
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
That much of the internet saw Bad Bunny’s Grammys look as a harbinger for more violence is probably more of a projection of our own preoccupations and fears.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
The imagery of the song chimes with some of Bowie’s deepest spiritual preoccupations.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Protein preoccupations The protein obsession continued throughout 2025, spilling far beyond shakes and bars into everyday foods and drinks.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Only in some of its themes and preoccupations, and the fact that both have taken me years to write.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
Stocks tumbled in February after the latest producer price index showed unexpectedly hot wholesale prices, adding sticky inflation to the list of investors’ recent preoccupations.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
This triggers a slippery slope toward apostasy — that is, de-prioritizing mindedness toward church vetted preoccupations.
—Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
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
That much of the internet saw Bad Bunny’s Grammys look as a harbinger for more violence is probably more of a projection of our own preoccupations and fears.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
The imagery of the song chimes with some of Bowie’s deepest spiritual preoccupations.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Protein preoccupations The protein obsession continued throughout 2025, spilling far beyond shakes and bars into everyday foods and drinks.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Only in some of its themes and preoccupations, and the fact that both have taken me years to write.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupations
obsessions
Noun
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Some of the essays are benign and well-documented; tales of her own neuroses, and her obsessions with the health of her father, Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator Larry David.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
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Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place!—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupations. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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