as in engaged
involved in often constant activity
the boy is constantly occupied, usually with sports or schoolwork
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interested
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of occupied
Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Israel has significantly escalated military activities in the occupied West Bank since 2023 as the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed to increase Jewish settlements and entrench Israel’s grip on the land.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Mar. 2026
The members of the Odeh family were the latest casualties in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlers and soldiers had previously shot and killed at least eight Palestinians since the start of the Iran war.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The attached advisory lists Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
—Laura Bassett, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
According to her arrest affidavit, after stealing the truck and being stopped, Giza struck two occupied police vehicles and accelerated toward uniformed officers on foot.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Two rounds struck the hospital, one of which entered an occupied room.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank said they were largely unfazed as war erupted Saturday, barely pausing as booms echoed across the sky from Israel's Iron Dome intercepting missiles overhead.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank said they were largely unfazed as war erupted Saturday, barely pausing as booms echoed across the sky from Israel’s Iron Dome intercepting missiles overhead.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
In March 1978, three years into the Lebanese Civil War, Israel occupied south Lebanon for the first time in an effort to push back Palestinian militants from its northern border.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Château Giscours’ history goes back to 1330, but it was occupied during the French Revolution and subsequently purchased by two Americans in 1793.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Another vehicle was already at the station and two men got out and began shooting at the vehicle occupied by the 15-year-old and the others.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Husband-and-wife bakers/owners Shannon and Janice Talty’s retail expansion slides into the space most recently occupied by the pet-centric House of Sploot, a biscuit’s throw from where the bakers of Backhaus used to sling their brand of Bavarian baked bites a few years back.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
During the stretch of time in which the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces group occupied Sudan—April 15, 2023 until early 2025—the Sudan National Museum’s contents were lost to theft amidst the civil war, NBC News reported last week.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 Mar. 2026
Each has its own crucial kids’ club, where children are occupied and entertained and remain (for the most part) out of sight.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
For many longtime viewers, the conclusion of that program marks the fading of a format that once occupied a central place in American culture.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Israel said an Iranian missile hit the occupied West Bank, marking the territory’s first fatalities during the Iran war, though missile debris has damaged homes and businesses.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Israel has significantly escalated military activities in the occupied West Bank since 2023 as the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed to increase Jewish settlements and entrench Israel’s grip on the land.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Mar. 2026
The members of the Odeh family were the latest casualties in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlers and soldiers had previously shot and killed at least eight Palestinians since the start of the Iran war.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The attached advisory lists Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
—Laura Bassett, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
According to her arrest affidavit, after stealing the truck and being stopped, Giza struck two occupied police vehicles and accelerated toward uniformed officers on foot.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Two rounds struck the hospital, one of which entered an occupied room.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank said they were largely unfazed as war erupted Saturday, barely pausing as booms echoed across the sky from Israel's Iron Dome intercepting missiles overhead.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank said they were largely unfazed as war erupted Saturday, barely pausing as booms echoed across the sky from Israel’s Iron Dome intercepting missiles overhead.
—Claudia Ciobanu, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
Vance, by contrast, remained in Washington, appearing in Situation Room photos seated at the head of the table, a position typically occupied by the president.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
In March 1978, three years into the Lebanese Civil War, Israel occupied south Lebanon for the first time in an effort to push back Palestinian militants from its northern border.
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Château Giscours’ history goes back to 1330, but it was occupied during the French Revolution and subsequently purchased by two Americans in 1793.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Another vehicle was already at the station and two men got out and began shooting at the vehicle occupied by the 15-year-old and the others.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Husband-and-wife bakers/owners Shannon and Janice Talty’s retail expansion slides into the space most recently occupied by the pet-centric House of Sploot, a biscuit’s throw from where the bakers of Backhaus used to sling their brand of Bavarian baked bites a few years back.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
During the stretch of time in which the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces group occupied Sudan—April 15, 2023 until early 2025—the Sudan National Museum’s contents were lost to theft amidst the civil war, NBC News reported last week.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 Mar. 2026
Each has its own crucial kids’ club, where children are occupied and entertained and remain (for the most part) out of sight.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
For many longtime viewers, the conclusion of that program marks the fading of a format that once occupied a central place in American culture.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupied
Adjective
-
Kerr, a former Victoria’s Secret model, went on to wed billionaire Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, and the English actor subsequently dated and became engaged to pop star Katy Perry, only to split with her last summer after nearly a decade together.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama stars Zendaya opposite Robert Pattinson as an engaged couple in the midst of wedding preparations, whose relationship is put to the test after a startling revelation.—
Valentine Ulgu-Servant,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These stories are not only fun to read, but also provide valuable information about ideas that interested early Christians.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The character that interested me was (his alter ego) Norman Osborn.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Jet fuel prices are rising as the war in the Middle East disrupts global oil supplies, putting cost pressure on airlines as the busy summer travel season approaches.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Ask the staff for a quieter room that ideally doesn’t face the main road; typical of the city, Admiralty Way is constantly busy, and in the rainy season heavy thunderstorms can be enough to wake one out of sleep—light sleepers will do well to pick a room that’s more internal.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The documentary team immersed itself in the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Games, shadowing two boys and two girls throughout the weekend.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Results were the same when the cable was immersed in a pool of water.—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But when the 11-year-old came across it on his social media feed, he was intrigued.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Director Genki Kawamura’s ominous feature might well be the ultimate headtrip, and we’re intrigued.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The men who are in the legislature’s top leadership positions maul the budget the committee chaired by two diligent women adopts after weeks of hearings and deliberations.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Learning to be vulnerable Jemison is diligent about her health.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The video shows up to seven officers involved in the final takedown.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
For Christians in medieval and early modern Europe, traveling overland and by sea to reach the Holy Land took time and means, and the journey involved many perils.—
Sarah Kozlowski,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the story, a fictional scientist, Dobb, studies personoid theology and is fascinated by their struggles to understand the nature of their creator, leading to their eventual rejection of Dobb as a deity.—
Dimitris Tsementzis,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Ever since that fateful 1950s day in New Jersey when Steve Spielberg's father roused him from slumber to take a late-night rural drive out to watch a spectacular shooting star show, the legendary filmmaker has been fascinated with outer space and the mysteries of the cosmos.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupied. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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