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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Recent Examples of preoccupy
The pro-democracy protests in China and their suppression preoccupied nearly everyone in Hong Kong, including Pau, who was following the protests on a daily basis.
—
Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
In 2023, the Milk Carton Kids had another pinnacle moment when creating their own event, the Los Angeles Folk Festival, wanting to bring together the voices behind the treasured musical storyteller tradition in a city often preoccupied with Sunset Strip rock deities and annual jaunts to Coachella.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
The teen's attorney said his client is doing well, but the case is preoccupying her life.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Pop culture has been preoccupied with commitment angst lately.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
In 2023, the Milk Carton Kids had another pinnacle moment when creating their own event, the Los Angeles Folk Festival, wanting to bring together the voices behind the treasured musical storyteller tradition in a city often preoccupied with Sunset Strip rock deities and annual jaunts to Coachella.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
The teen's attorney said his client is doing well, but the case is preoccupying her life.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Pop culture has been preoccupied with commitment angst lately.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy
Verb
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Yoo is fascinated by how Love Is Blind might fare in Korea.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
At the moment, Philadelphia fascinates me most, a Play-In team that has enough talent to make a run to the finals.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Alternatives are dwindling, and playing centre-backs out of position does not interest me.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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That’s what interests me enormously.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The place that most intrigued me was Hotel El Roblar, which is Ojai’s oldest lodge—and its newest.—
Priyanka Mattoo,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
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Greek shipping tycoons, Morley said, may be intrigued by the glory of owning Onassis’s yacht; Middle Eastern oil magnates could have the means to buy a pricey piece of history.—
Michael Ballaban,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Schapiro, a former university president, stepped down to avoid distracting from the ceremony.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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Sure, robots can be kitschy and cute, but frankly, their growing presence has begun to irk and distract me, becoming a bit too synonymous with gimmicky pan-Asian hotpot fare.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The hotel sits within the historic First Residence building complex, which occupies a stretch of riverfront land next to the Giza Zoo.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Meanwhile, the charming house with a small brook off to the side, stands waiting to be occupied with some, but not a lot, of work required.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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