preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī 
preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies
1
: to engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or preferentially
2
: to take possession of or fill beforehand or before another
Examples of preoccupy in a Sentence
The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Don’t preoccupy yourself too much with the plot; just enjoy the deadpan humor, excellent visual gags (like the Tim Hortons sign in Farsi), and surreal images (like the turkey dealer with large studio headshots of turkeys on the wall).
—
Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
As Lauren Michele Jackson points out in her review of A Physical Education for The New Yorker, the idea that focusing on strength frees you from being preoccupied with looks is naive.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025
Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable, especially when we are preoccupied with managing other people’s feelings.
—Essence, 26 June 2025
However, this might be tough if you’re preoccupied with work.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
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Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
As Lauren Michele Jackson points out in her review of A Physical Education for The New Yorker, the idea that focusing on strength frees you from being preoccupied with looks is naive.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025
Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable, especially when we are preoccupied with managing other people’s feelings.
—Essence, 26 June 2025
However, this might be tough if you’re preoccupied with work.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī
1
: to hold the attention of beforehand
2
: to take possession of before another
preoccupation
noun
(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
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