preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī 
preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies
1
: to engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or preferentially
2
: to take possession of or fill beforehand or before another
Examples of preoccupy in a Sentence
The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.
Recent Examples on the Web
The comedy is so wonderfully weightless as to seem entirely free from the gravitational pull of the history that had preoccupied Wilde’s family, and of a place called Ireland, where the unfortunately unavailable food was not the cucumber but the potato.
—
Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
These concerns, which especially pinch small employers, have preoccupied much of the industry for the past three years running, Pollak noted.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Now, with production volume down, paths to screens shaky, and studios preoccupied with mergers and reorgs, internal business and legal affairs departments are not the foremost priority for many operations.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
Additionally, black is often associated with negative energy and may not evoke unwanted feelings before bedtime, causing your mind to be preoccupied.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
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Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
These concerns, which especially pinch small employers, have preoccupied much of the industry for the past three years running, Pollak noted.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Now, with production volume down, paths to screens shaky, and studios preoccupied with mergers and reorgs, internal business and legal affairs departments are not the foremost priority for many operations.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
Additionally, black is often associated with negative energy and may not evoke unwanted feelings before bedtime, causing your mind to be preoccupied.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī
1
: to hold the attention of beforehand
2
: to take possession of before another
preoccupation
noun
(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
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