as in to interest
to hold the attention of
a puzzle will occupy that child for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of occupy
So, both Democrats and Republicans see federal enforcement not as protection but as an occupying force to compel liberals to bow to Republican political goals.
—
Robert Pape, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
The Spa More than 10,000 square feet of wellness space occupies the castle's basement level, with treatment rooms set within the former convent's nuns' cells.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Now our laps were constantly occupied.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
That was the spot previously occupied by Conley, who was regularly playing 14 to 22 minutes per game prior to the trade.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Robert Pape, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
The Spa More than 10,000 square feet of wellness space occupies the castle's basement level, with treatment rooms set within the former convent's nuns' cells.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Now our laps were constantly occupied.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
That was the spot previously occupied by Conley, who was regularly playing 14 to 22 minutes per game prior to the trade.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupy
Verb
-
In Brazil, the debate on narcoterrorism, even after Furtado’s bill was back on the table, seemed not to interest the main figures of the country’s far right.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That doesn’t interest me as a writer.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In response, Walz issued an executive order activating cyber-security specialists from the Minnesota National Guard, and the FBI and private consultants quickly became involved.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
12 Feb. 2026
-
For this, researchers in Dortmund University are significantly involved in the EU research project ODYSSEV.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For several months, a mysterious sign displayed in the windows of vacant storefront in Shorewood has intrigued passersby along Capitol Drive.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The dancing and costumes took me back to being a young teen watching the airbrushed sultriness of early-2000s MTV and being intrigued by the world that allegedly existed somewhere outside my home.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As tall as a man and immersed in a sea of bracken, it is now covered in moss and disappears from sight amid summertime growth, only to reëmerge when winter arrives.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
The department has also busied itself in Minneapolis with prosecuting residents opposed to what federal officials are doing in their city and immigrants trying to flee their pursuers, a tactic seen in other cities targeted for immigration enforcement.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This is Taymor’s first production to embark on a national tour, and she’s been fascinated by the range of audience responses.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
From legal aspirations to a life of art As a girl, I was fascinated by color, texture and creative expressions.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Clegg said judges got creative to attract attorneys.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Articles supporting the city’s democracy movement, including antigovernment protests that rocked the city in 2019, attracted many pro-democracy readers.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Comfortable ride quality, engaging acceleration, and a simple, practical interior are complemented by excellent visibility, making the Leaf an exceptional journeyman’s EV.—
Cyril Soliman,
The Drive,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Like humming, gargling engages muscles connected to the vagus nerve.—
Chloe Burcham,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupy. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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