Synonyms of preoccupied

preoccupied 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd 

as in distracted

lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions

too preoccupied with her worries to enjoy the meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distracted
• bewildered
• absent
• dazed
• confused
• absentminded
• abstracted
• oblivious
• forgetting
• absorbed
• forgetful
• unaware
• engrossed
• pensive
• dreaming
• daydreaming
• inattentive
• unconscious
• dreamy
• unmindful
• rapt
• heedless
• intent
• bemused
• unfocused
• unthinking
• clueless
• muddled
• scatterbrained
• unwitting
• faraway
• unperceptive
• vacant
• unfocussed
• unknowing
• unheeding
• foggy
• hazy
• befuddled
• unwary
• insensible
• befogged
• flighty
• birdbrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engaged
• alert
• aware
• conscious
• wary
• attentive
• alive
• mindful
• vigilant
• watchful
• observant
• sharp
• observing
• wide-awake
• heedful
• heads-up
• open-eyed
• clearheaded

preoccupied

2 of 2

verb

past tense of preoccupy

as in interested

to be thought about or worried about by (someone) very often or constantly

The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.

Related Words

• interested
• intrigued
• fascinated
• distracted
• occupied
• engrossed
• busied
• involved
• immersed
• attracted
• gripped
• obsessed
• engaged
• enthralled
• captivated
• absorbed
• bemused
• caught up
• charmed
• enwrapped
• bewitched
• enchanted
• beguiled
• allured

Dissimilar Words

• tired
• bored
• wearied
• jaded
• palled

Synonym Chooser

How is the word preoccupied distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of preoccupied are absentminded, absent, abstracted, and distracted. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

When would absent be a good substitute for preoccupied?

Although the words absent and preoccupied have much in common, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

In what contexts can absentminded take the place of preoccupied?

The meanings of absentminded and preoccupied largely overlap; however, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

When is abstracted a more appropriate choice than preoccupied?

The words abstracted and preoccupied can be used in similar contexts, but abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

When is it sensible to use distracted instead of preoccupied?

While in some cases nearly identical to preoccupied, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preoccupied

Adjective

While universities remain preoccupied with defending traditional curricula and evaluation methods, not to mention banning students (and staff) from using genAI, the job market is rapidly evolving. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

The United States had withdrawn from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council; the State Department seemed more preoccupied with deportations than with diplomacy. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2025

Early in this episode, Dina mentions to a preoccupied Joel that one of the community’s underground pipes — connected to the outside — has been rendered useless by encroaching roots. —Noel Murray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

While the environmental crisis looms over the play, its characters are equally preoccupied with their own lives. —Darryn King, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025