preoccupied

2 of 2

verb

past tense of preoccupy

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preoccupied
Adjective
Nora and Madeline, meanwhile, aren’t as well developed, but then again, they’re both entirely preoccupied throughout with trying to understand what on earth is going on in this creepy house, what their mothers aren’t telling them and why. Ilana Masad, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 The United States had withdrawn from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council; the State Department seemed more preoccupied with deportations than with diplomacy.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
Verb
The rental industry has spent the last decade being preoccupied with efficiency. Maria Williams, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 The speaker, preoccupied with what others think and barely able to see past the image of his face, hears only his own voice. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preoccupied
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupied
Adjective
  • The Lincoln Nautilus is an underappreciated contender in the luxury midsize SUV market, part of a brand that seems tired, itself part of an automaker that seems perpetually distracted, itself part of an automotive ecosystem that is awash in luxury midsize SUVs from very, very tough competitors.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
  • In 1980, when Iraq’s president, Saddam Hussein, seized oil fields on the Iranian border, under the assumption that Iran was too distracted to object, Iran saw an opportunity to pivot to fighting external enemies.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That kind of book never really interested me as a reader either.
    Fiction Non Fiction August 21, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
  • As a scientist interested in consciousness, most of my previous research has focused on understanding how psychedelics act on the human brain.
    Christopher Timmermann, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • When producer Oskar Pimlott came on board, Etzler was considering writing the script himself, but the team was intrigued by the possibility of getting a British voice in there.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
  • However, the pet wasn't interested in the neckwear, but was intrigued about revisiting the pub.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Brad also took the time to guide Thomas in using the snowblower, which was a huge thrill for Thomas, who has always been fascinated by power tools.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
  • People have been fascinated by this disease for hundreds of years.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preoccupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupied. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on preoccupied

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