preoccupation
noun
pre·oc·cu·pa·tion
(ˌ)prē-ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən 
1
: an act of preoccupying : the state of being preoccupied
2
a
: extreme or excessive concern with something
b
: something that preoccupies one
Examples of preoccupation in a Sentence
We need to better understand the problems and preoccupations of our clients.
the future entomologist's preoccupation with insects from a very early age
Recent Examples on the Web
Our preoccupation with food is much more primal than the pull of a Sephora sale.
—
Maggie Anders, Oc Register, 29 July 2025
The preoccupation with polarization is one of those fairness cons derived from media virtue-signaling.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
These gothic elements enhance the book’s central preoccupations of trust, fidelity, and the difficulty of fully knowing another person—or oneself.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
In the plural and the choral, Wildcat Dome finds the appropriate form for its preoccupation with collective guilt, the sort that cannot be contained by a single being.
—Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
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.
Maggie Anders, Oc Register, 29 July 2025
The preoccupation with polarization is one of those fairness cons derived from media virtue-signaling.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
These gothic elements enhance the book’s central preoccupations of trust, fidelity, and the difficulty of fully knowing another person—or oneself.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
In the plural and the choral, Wildcat Dome finds the appropriate form for its preoccupation with collective guilt, the sort that cannot be contained by a single being.
—Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share