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
The distanced self is not preoccupied with image preservation but is focused on the task.
—
L. David Marquet, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2025
On the night of my arrival, DeMarco became briefly preoccupied by a wobbly deck chair.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Then along came Gábor Domokos, a mathematician at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics who had long been preoccupied with balancing problems.
—Elise Cutts, Wired News, 10 Aug. 2025
Investors are also preoccupied with Big Tech earnings, Cramer said.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
L. David Marquet, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2025
On the night of my arrival, DeMarco became briefly preoccupied by a wobbly deck chair.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Then along came Gábor Domokos, a mathematician at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics who had long been preoccupied with balancing problems.
—Elise Cutts, Wired News, 10 Aug. 2025
Investors are also preoccupied with Big Tech earnings, Cramer said.
—Julie Coleman, CNBC, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy
Verb
-
But the idea has always fascinated him.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
So that image has always fascinated me.—
Maria Reva
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Programs like these give students the ability to pursue their passions and learn more about careers that interest them, which is 16-year-old Karina Monter's goal.—
Peyton Robinson,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This promo will also work the same way for any MLB games that interest you tonight.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the very least, the prospect of doing more with younger Ed and Lorraine intrigues the performers.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
There’s something about childhood and adolescence — and the wounds that form during those years, which in some way stay with us for life — that really intrigues me.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That will distract any views of the neighbors’ patios or houses that might linger until the shrubs fill in.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Some medications can help distract the brain, and those are usually tried first.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The building had been occupied the last 41 years by Los Vaqueros, which started in a smaller location nearby.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
As the region’s megadrought continues, roaming mammals, like black bears and mountain lions, may start to occupy larger ranges, widening their territory in the search for water and other resources.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share