otherwise engaged
idiom
: busy doing something else
He won't be able to attend because he's otherwise engaged.
Examples of otherwise engaged in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The family are so committed to the mission that Conor’s folks take over whenever he and his brother are otherwise engaged.
—
Phil Hay, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Not that there even was an issue all of the time: in 1982, the government briefly closed because lawmakers were otherwise engaged at social and fund-raising functions.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025
When America entered World War II in late 1941, Marshall Best, to a large extent, managed Viking for Harold Guinzburg, who was otherwise engaged.
—Paul Slovak
september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
These gooey bars are great to eat while otherwise engaged with the game, especially when served chilled for less mess.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
But if that trio is otherwise engaged, who else could step up at star?
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
Rolin is otherwise engaged with the third season of Interview.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 May 2025
Bush 43, wrestling with 9/11 and discretionary wars, was otherwise engaged.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024
But Jasper is now otherwise engaged.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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Phil Hay, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Not that there even was an issue all of the time: in 1982, the government briefly closed because lawmakers were otherwise engaged at social and fund-raising functions.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025
When America entered World War II in late 1941, Marshall Best, to a large extent, managed Viking for Harold Guinzburg, who was otherwise engaged.
—Paul Slovak
september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
These gooey bars are great to eat while otherwise engaged with the game, especially when served chilled for less mess.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
But if that trio is otherwise engaged, who else could step up at star?
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025
Rolin is otherwise engaged with the third season of Interview.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 May 2025
Bush 43, wrestling with 9/11 and discretionary wars, was otherwise engaged.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024
But Jasper is now otherwise engaged.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Otherwise engaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/otherwise%20engaged. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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