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.

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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 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
  • Amid all the con artists and fraudsters this century has produced, Holmes is the one who fascinates us the most.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • He’s always been obsessed with historic epochs like the Civil War and World War II and fascinated with the post-war boom and the sojourns of Route 66.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With your background in documentaries, what interests you in that tension, particularly right now?
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Clearly there’s something about the relationship between audience and performer that interests you.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Dumas was intrigued as Hermès was dealing with a generational crisis of how to evolve the company without losing its core customers.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
  • What intrigues you about taking this fish, who’s been out of water, and throwing him back into familiar waters?
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Know when to ask for another ball and try your best not to be distracted by a nice rack.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The compelling series achieves a provocative dissection of it all with rare confidence without the overindulgence of distracting CGI tossed in for sheer spectacle.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • He had been courted by an investment group to helm a vast space on North Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, previously occupied by a Spanish-leaning restaurant called Soulmate.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In June, Israel launched a preëmptive strike against Egypt, setting off the Six-Day War, and proceeded to occupy the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
    — Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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