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
Boldy, who not long before had a goal overturned for kicking the puck in past Oettinger, went to the net alone while Tyler Myers was preoccupied mugging Joel Eriksson Ek out of the corner.
—
Michael Russo, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
In 2023, the Milk Carton Kids had another pinnacle moment when creating their own event, the Los Angeles Folk Festival, wanting to bring together the voices behind the treasured musical storyteller tradition in a city often preoccupied with Sunset Strip rock deities and annual jaunts to Coachella.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
The teen's attorney said his client is doing well, but the case is preoccupying her life.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Yusuf and his pals are as stymied as the siblings themselves, and just as preoccupied by their status within a larger universe.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
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Michael Russo, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
In 2023, the Milk Carton Kids had another pinnacle moment when creating their own event, the Los Angeles Folk Festival, wanting to bring together the voices behind the treasured musical storyteller tradition in a city often preoccupied with Sunset Strip rock deities and annual jaunts to Coachella.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
The teen's attorney said his client is doing well, but the case is preoccupying her life.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Yusuf and his pals are as stymied as the siblings themselves, and just as preoccupied by their status within a larger universe.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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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