as in interesting
to hold the attention of
the video game busied the child for hours
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Recent Examples of busying
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
Had Steve Smith been fit and available to play, then the 31-year-old would have been patrolling another part of the field; maybe busying himself in the covers, or chirping away from under a lid at short leg.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Much like her idol Marlene Dietrich, Novak walked away from the business under her own steam, and has largely kept to herself, marrying an equine veterinarian and busying herself raising horses and painting.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Craig Heed, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
Had Steve Smith been fit and available to play, then the 31-year-old would have been patrolling another part of the field; maybe busying himself in the covers, or chirping away from under a lid at short leg.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Much like her idol Marlene Dietrich, Novak walked away from the business under her own steam, and has largely kept to herself, marrying an equine veterinarian and busying herself raising horses and painting.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busying
Verb
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Several art organizations are also in residence, as well as the Museo de Las Américas occupying the second floor.—
Lauren Sanchez,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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When the Pac-12 presented an opportunity to disassociate from the Mountain West’s lower tier, especially with schedule strength occupying a central role in the CFP selection process, Boise State, SDSU, Fresno State, Colorado State and Utah State simply could not afford to pass.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Carew’s main objective is to continue immersing himself ever deeper into his new craft.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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The new installment promises challenges across diverse locations, from navigating the Angolan desert in track vehicles to immersing in Malaysia’s automotive scene and testing American performance cars in California.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Before Tuesday, the most recent party-line vote failure occurred in July involving cryptocurrency and appropriations bills.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Feb. 2026
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After Rapoport reported Sunday that trading Pickens is an option for the team, fans called back to the drama of last offseason involving Parsons and wondered if the Cowboys could be heading down the same road.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Busying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busying. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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