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
The hotel fell into some level of disrepair as the prior ownership group was preoccupied with three court proceedings that were filed in an attempt to retain control of the property, according to BrightSpire.
—
George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
The actress' current beauty regimen is simple and effortless, but there was a time when she was preoccupied with her skin.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Any nation experiencing such a cyberattack is going to be preoccupied with restoring essential services and saving lives at home.
—Jim Richberg, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Deena is preoccupied by her romantic designs on Maddie and general horniness.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
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George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
The actress' current beauty regimen is simple and effortless, but there was a time when she was preoccupied with her skin.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Any nation experiencing such a cyberattack is going to be preoccupied with restoring essential services and saving lives at home.
—Jim Richberg, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Deena is preoccupied by her romantic designs on Maddie and general horniness.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 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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