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
Government involvement in markets hinders competition and makes firms preoccupied with managing their relationships with officials rather than devoting energy and resources to improving their products.
—
Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The book began after McEwan was commissioned to write an optimistic story about the future, a topic that had preoccupied him for some time already.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
On the other side of the world, as the Kirk story preoccupied Americans, Nepal reeled from a spasm of violence that erupted when the government tried to ban social media platforms.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
The hotel fell into some level of disrepair as the prior ownership group was preoccupied with three court proceedings that were filed in an attempt to retain control of the property, according to BrightSpire.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The book began after McEwan was commissioned to write an optimistic story about the future, a topic that had preoccupied him for some time already.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
On the other side of the world, as the Kirk story preoccupied Americans, Nepal reeled from a spasm of violence that erupted when the government tried to ban social media platforms.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
The hotel fell into some level of disrepair as the prior ownership group was preoccupied with three court proceedings that were filed in an attempt to retain control of the property, according to BrightSpire.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy
Verb
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Known for roles in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian, Giancarlo admits that antagonists have always fascinated him because of their complexity.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 Oct. 2025
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The Dan Marino quotes lining the walls of Hard Rock Stadium fascinated the AD.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And having fun to develop and nourish the strategy by being open to brand creativity and following advice from our partners, always having the customers interest in mind.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
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To read only the chapters that interest you?—
Sophia Rosenfeld
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The budding businessman was intrigued when its owners put the business up for sale at $27,500 in 1981—and jumped on the opportunity to buy it.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Earlier this month, Netflix confirmed that Janney and her screen husband Bradley Whitford had been upped to series regulars for season four so expect both to be at the center of all the series intrigue this season.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To many climate advocates, focusing too much on measures to prepare society for the physical costs of climate change risked distracting from efforts to cut emissions.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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Critics, though, have argued that these efforts are serving to distract from the country’s record of repressing free speech and dissent, as well as human rights violations, which have been widely reported.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Joey Logano occupy the sixth, seventh, and eighth places in the same order.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Blair would bring years of political and negotiating experience to the task after occupying 10 Downing Street for a decade and later acting as an international envoy in the Middle East.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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