preoccupies

verb

present tense third-person singular of preoccupy
as in fascinates
to be thought about or worried about by (someone) very often or constantly The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.

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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 preoccupies In other versions, the demon preoccupies himself with people who’ve fallen asleep in church, carefully noting down every snore. — JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupies
  1. fascinates
  2. intrigues
  3. interests
  4. distracts
Verb
  • Meanwhile, what fascinates aspiring neurologist Makenzie Stovall is the idea that AI is trying to emulate the brain — an organ whose inner workings continue to leave researchers dumbfounded.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But the skillful way in which they are woven together belies the efforts that went into telling this story, and Lovely Reader, this dedication to quality fascinates me.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of fascinates
Verb
  • If this topic intrigues you, join us at the free, online Work on Purpose Summit on July 30, 2026.
    — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • That’s what intrigues them about coming to work for a large company that’s constantly evolving.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Definition of intrigues
Verb
  • What interests me is this idea of hybridity—where human infrastructure and natural systems become entangled.
    — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • What’s underneath Beulah and what’s really driving her is what interests me.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
Definition of interests
Verb
  • This cultural debate distracts from systemic policy failures and the high cost of raising children, which makes motherhood an economic battleground.
    — Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 May 2026
Definition of distracts

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preoccupied
preoccupies
preoccupy
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Cite this Entry

“Preoccupies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupies. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preoccupies

Nglish: Translation of preoccupies for Spanish Speakers

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