Synonyms of preoccupy

preoccupy

verb

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

• fascinate
• interest
• intrigue
• distract
• occupy
• busy
• engross
• attract
• involve
• grip
• engage
• obsess
• immerse
• captivate
• catch up
• bemuse
• absorb
• enthrall
• beguile
• enwrap
• charm
• allure
• enchant
• bewitch

Dissimilar Words

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preoccupy

Below, Nico O’Reilly is on the goal line at the far post, away from the eye line of the opposition defenders, who are preoccupied with his team-mates. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The musician will be preoccupied with the Distracted AF tour, which will visit a number of American and Canadian cities from October through December. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026

Here’s what Cashman had to say about those position groups while reminding folks that major league front offices have been preoccupied with this weekend’s amateur draft. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026

When Islamist fighters swept south toward Damascus in December 2024, neither Russia, which was preoccupied by Ukraine, nor Iran, whose Hezbollah allies had been badly weakened, could prevent the Assad regime’s sudden collapse. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2026