as in to fascinate
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
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 preoccupy
In our less-than-ideal world, an administration that is preoccupied with birth rates rather than facilitating care is calling the shots.
—
Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Mister Terrific emerges as one of Superman’s smartest anchors, threading intellect through a story preoccupied with power, trust, and what the world expects its heroes to be.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
Well, to start with, creators Matt and Ross Duffer have always been preoccupied with movies.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Dec. 2025
Yet anyone who has tried this, or really done any sort of serious creative work, knows that your central concerns will slip to the surface while your conscious mind is preoccupied with form.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Mister Terrific emerges as one of Superman’s smartest anchors, threading intellect through a story preoccupied with power, trust, and what the world expects its heroes to be.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
Well, to start with, creators Matt and Ross Duffer have always been preoccupied with movies.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Dec. 2025
Yet anyone who has tried this, or really done any sort of serious creative work, knows that your central concerns will slip to the surface while your conscious mind is preoccupied with form.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy
Verb
-
How golfers rely on — and leverage — technology fascinates Skenes, from the numbers culled relative to swing speed and ball flight to how their bodies must be in sync to generate so much club speed.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
-
People tend to be fascinated by half-and-half beings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If there are too many items on your list that no longer engage or excite you, one career resolution for 2026 could be to write yourself a new job description and negotiate with your manager to do more of what interests you.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Choose a specific cause that interests your kids and give back together.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Parents,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Morgan is also intrigued by fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
-
When people saw my lupus documentary, they were intrigued.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
-
One internal Google presentation, which is undated, conceded that using YouTube for learning is hard because the platform is distracting and disorganized.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The restaurant has occupied the space for decades, sits steps from the ski lifts in Vail Village, and is a local favorite for skiers, tourists and locals alike.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Bonhams occupies what’s defined as the mid-range market, mostly offering lots priced between $50,000 to $1 million, while the top three — Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips — court sellers and buyers at the vertiginous top end.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
