preoccupy

Definition of preoccupynext
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 But China’s leaders, facing their own domestic challenges and preoccupied with their own grip on power, may decide that imposing these innovations on the masses is simply too risky—for their own sake, if not for the sake of humanity. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026 While her father wanted her to get discovered, Dawson was preoccupied with a crush on one of the grips. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026 Or is he preoccupied with positioning himself to run for president in 2028? — Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026 For much of the following century, food photography functioned as a sort of ethnographic art, a form of restrained realism preoccupied with light and shadow, shape and symbolism. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy
Verb
  • Mitchell Kohrmann was fascinated by the Cannonball record runs between New York City and Los Angeles, but decided to make things more interesting by choosing the slowest possible car.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Those copious field reports, sworn affidavits, and telegrams signed, alarmingly, HOOVER, would fascinate, enrage, and unmoor me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • What interests me most is the possibility of giving doctors another set of highly capable eyes.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Follow what interests you without needing to come home with a grand revelation.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Both Heder and Madeley were intrigued by the juxtaposition of Heumann’s desire for movement with her paralysis forcing her to be still.
    — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Now in his 14th season with the NBA, Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum was first intrigued by wine when his wife Elise’s parents gifted the couple a bottle of Merlot while the two were still in college and dating.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • In her first sketch, Navarrette and Hernandez played the ghost of a couple of 1930s kids on the Queen Mary who keep distracting a tourist from hearing where another ghost’s treasure is hidden.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Driscoll was nearby the whole time, but was distracted with the installation of a new oven.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The rooms Most of the 297 rooms and suites occupy a 30-storey tower added in the ’90s, where champagne tones, glossy dark woods, and silk accents meet impeccable detail.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The new Mastro’s took over the ground-floor space formerly occupied by McCormick & Schmick’s at the corner of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!