as in to fascinate
to be thought about or worried about by (someone) very often or constantly
The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of preoccupy
Right about that time, Hunt also was engaging the gears that would lead to something else that preoccupied him the rest of his life.
—
Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
The second half of The Testaments’s first season is preoccupied with backstory.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
This came in a series in which the first line of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis was preoccupied with playing Ottawa to a draw.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 3 May 2026
The pro-democracy protests in China and their suppression preoccupied nearly everyone in Hong Kong, including Pau, who was following the protests on a daily basis.
—Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
The second half of The Testaments’s first season is preoccupied with backstory.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
This came in a series in which the first line of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis was preoccupied with playing Ottawa to a draw.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 3 May 2026
The pro-democracy protests in China and their suppression preoccupied nearly everyone in Hong Kong, including Pau, who was following the protests on a daily basis.
—Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupy
Verb
-
The fawn-like icon, star of classics including Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina, Two for the Road, Charade, Funny Face, and My Fair Lady, continues to fascinate even 33 years after her early death from a rare abdominal cancer.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
-
The idea of the ouroboros (a snake eating its tail) has always fascinated me.—
Peter Bogdanovich,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Despite speculation, there has been no hard evidence to suggest the Celtics will look to trade Jaylen Brown (who likely would interest the Heat).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
That agenda should interest Washington.—
Daniel Benaim,
Time,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The allure of fame certainly intrigues, but the financial potential remains hard to ignore.—
Jacqueline Jevtich,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Even at a new track without a prominent horse, many respondents say they’re still intrigued by Saturday’s event.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
But during the aufguss ceremony at BASIN Glacial Waters, people smiled and laughed and swayed to the music, and Kyan’s dance-like towel moves distracted me from the discomfort of the heat.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
-
Inside an intimate pub, however, filling out the scene with empty tables could distract from the hurried, nervous nature of the filmmaker’s original intent.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
House members who occupy safe seats have fewer incentives to compromise or work across the aisle.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Whole Foods opening in Newport Beach Whole Foods is opening a second store in Newport Beach, claiming the spot occupied by a Ralphs grocery store at Westcliff Plaza.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupy. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
