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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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 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

In 2008, passionate surfer Tim Russo purchased the property, renamed it, and set out to organically grow it into a resort full of wonder where serious surfers and travelers fascinated with the surf lifestyle could vacation happily.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Interest is heightened when royal stories cover Princess Diana, who was one of the most famous women in the world, with people fascinated by her life.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 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

Not far away, armed men had been occupying makeshift barricades, blocking roads and turning some drivers away.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Three women sit in front of me, each one occupying a salon chair in a tiny room with a single shampoo bowl, and one window that faces a bare, enclosed courtyard with yellowing grass.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of preoccupy

verb

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