occupying

verb

present participle of occupy
as in interesting
to hold the attention of a puzzle will occupy that child for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 occupying Work to address the track-circuit issue — in which the signal system erroneously reports a train occupying a section of track — was underway. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026 After occupying fashion and media conversations since its release on Monday, the inaugural men’s style issue of New York Magazine was toasted properly on Tuesday evening with a celebratory dinner. — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 An installation by Polish artist Alicja Kwade occupying a space outside Tai Kwun Contemporary in Hong Kong was found to have been damaged on September 20, according to the Hong Kong Standard. — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026 But around five years ago, the writer David Jacob Kramer and photographer Michael Schmelling set out to find the homes still standing in NorCal, and the people still occupying them, half a century on. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 New Order is also a term for the Nazis' plan for occupying Europe. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 Reporting such a poll during a presidential and congressional election year is speech about a matter of public concern, occupying the summit of the pyramid of First Amendment values. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026 The Chiefs marched 70 yards in 12 plays to finish off that drive, occupying nearly half the quarter before Mahomes found Xavier Worthy for a 1-yard touchdown. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 Seydoux is arresting, especially as David discovers that occupying a woman’s body means being perceived—and desired—differently; Schneider is equally compelling as the film’s game of selves grows more labyrinthine. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupying
  1. immersing
  2. intriguing
  3. involving
  4. fascinating
  5. busying
  6. attracting
Verb
  • Our formula is based on the universal pleasure of solving a mystery, immersing oneself in an adventure, identifying with inspiring characters, and sharing that sense of liberation so characteristic of adolescence.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Short-term corrosion testing involved immersing the lattice in natural seawater from Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of immersing
Verb
  • The female forward is in front of the camera, behind the camera, really getting women, intriguing them to come to the service and watch.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The first four episodes made available for review likewise have tiny sparks of interest, from some witty dialogue to genuine plot momentum to intriguing new characters popping up.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Definition of intriguing
Verb
  • The court denied that request and a second filing involving the drugs without comment.
    — JAMIE STENGLE, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Four charges involving a child younger than 13 were dropped on the first day of Saunders’ three-week trial.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of involving
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
  • Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.
    — Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of fascinating
Verb
  • After busying ourselves with fly fishing on the Snake River, rafting, horseback riding and touring Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, there hasn’t been much time for reflection.
    — Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The song vamps where Railings used to weave and wind, its ever-busying rhythm section building tension atop its harmonic simplicity.
    — Craig Heed, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of busying
Verb
  • In Ohio, Husted has been repeatedly attacked for his role in attracting data centers to Ohio as lieutenant governor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Model design Commercial dating platforms such as Bumble generate revenue through subscriptions and paid features, giving them a financial interest in attracting, converting and retaining paying users.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of attracting

Browse Nearby Words

occupy
occupying
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Cite this Entry

“Occupying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupying. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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