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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preoccupy
For now, Russia, preoccupied with its war in Ukraine, has very few troops along the frontier, and the Finns insist that none of this is much of a threat — yet.
—
Johanna Lemola, New York Times, 19 May 2025
So moths symbolize death, and Ellie’s preoccupied with finding her life’s purpose.
—EW.com, 19 May 2025
The man grunts, preoccupied with the survival of his business.
—Hazlitt, 13 May 2025
Siblings can often feel invisible because parents are preoccupied by their grief.
—Friends Of Karen, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Johanna Lemola, New York Times, 19 May 2025
So moths symbolize death, and Ellie’s preoccupied with finding her life’s purpose.
—EW.com, 19 May 2025
The man grunts, preoccupied with the survival of his business.
—Hazlitt, 13 May 2025
Siblings can often feel invisible because parents are preoccupied by their grief.
—Friends Of Karen, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy
Verb
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Do different cultures engage with Napoleon’s legacy differently? PJC: The Anglo-Saxons are fascinated by the romantic aspect of his period as an exile.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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As for Mourinho, Greenhalgh was fascinated by his approach.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
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O’Hara simplifies vocabulary, reassigns lines and excises parts that don’t interest him, but otherwise sticks to Shakespeare’s template.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
-
Los Angeles doesn't have many draft picks to trade, and the team doesn't have many young players who may interest the Suns.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The sun's outer atmosphere — the corona — has long intrigued scientists due to its extreme temperatures, violent eruptions and towering prominences — vast filaments of plasma extending out from the solar surface.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
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And while that performance will certainly intrigue the Yankees, there could be a couple of obstacles in acquiring Eovaldi.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Sending in the National Guard was an obvious military flex, designed to to bait Angelenos while perhaps distracting Americans from Trump’s far greater troubles.—
Mary McNamara,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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The upshot is, an ADAS, such as Tesla FSD and robotaxi, does not get distracted and is laser-focused on the road.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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In a space formerly occupied by the finance ministry, a towering glass ceiling shelters statues that once cavorted in open courtyards.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
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Nearly the entire Republican Party, which occupied about seventy percent of congressional seats, voted for it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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