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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
-
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
-
As for Mourinho, Greenhalgh was fascinated by his approach.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
One name that could interest Golden State is guard Derrick White from the Boston Celtics.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
-
Perhaps Trump's memo will surface more novel tactics that interest the administration.—
Ashley Belanger – May 20,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Growth must reinforce strategy, not distract from it.—
Ayo Adepoju,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
But when the pair get to a higher point in order to try to see where the Wolves are/where Tommy might be, Ellie is distracted by a nearby aquarium, which has a giant ferris wheel nearby.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Nearly the entire Republican Party, which occupied about seventy percent of congressional seats, voted for it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share