PREOCCUPY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

preoccupy

verb

Definition of preoccupy

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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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 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 In the meantime, you’ll be preoccupied with more mundane things this month, like organizing your budget and catching up on correspondence. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 That leaves companies such as Micron caught between strong underlying demand and a market preoccupied with macroeconomic risks. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 The article emphasizes that Le Guin’s books are preoccupied with nature. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preoccupy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy

Verb

The trailer promises fascinating new characters, like one man who lives on a sailboat for most of the year.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
The world was fascinated by mummies, but that did not lend itself to reverence.

— Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 29, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

His philosophy posits that nature should be the focus of any space, and this is true—trappings frame and do not distract from the views.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Those moments shouldn't distract from the fact that Las Vegas looked every bit as good as the Chiefs for most of the game, and at certain points, better.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

Expanding the Navy’s missile stockpile SM-6 occupies a key role in the Navy’s layered approach to air and missile defense.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
The merchandising was reconsidered as well, with more open space, redesigned display cases and seating replacing cases that previously occupied the front windows.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of occupy

Browse Nearby Words

preoccupies

preoccupy

preoccupying

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“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of preoccupy

verb

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