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
For the workers, occupying a tenuous legal status can be worth it to be able to support their families, send their children to stronger schools and earn wages on a different scale than in their home countries.
—
Theia Chatelle, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Add in two junior college players and an international forward, and the Horned Frogs already had six or seven slots occupied in the rotation.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Out of the nine rooms, only five were occupied.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
The same year San Antonio Regional Hospital was agreeing to sell the land Nicolson Farms occupies, two other farms in nearby Ontario were lost to developers, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported.
—Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Theia Chatelle, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Add in two junior college players and an international forward, and the Horned Frogs already had six or seven slots occupied in the rotation.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Out of the nine rooms, only five were occupied.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
The same year San Antonio Regional Hospital was agreeing to sell the land Nicolson Farms occupies, two other farms in nearby Ontario were lost to developers, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported.
—Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for occupy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupy
Verb
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The fact that both CBS News and CNN will be under the new corporate roof, however, makes the involvement of Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf interests a sensitive point.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
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There’s something easy about sweet that doesn’t interest me.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But because the racing league is involved, AMC needs to step cautiously.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
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His incredulity about their increasingly risky adventures—this is the one that involves a Pontiac Fiero in outer space—becomes one of the film’s running gags.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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More than anything, Williams said she was intrigued about the way Golden State played last season and the energy brought to the arena each night.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Benjamin Moore’s China White If you’re intrigued by green but not quite ready to take the full plunge, Velten-Lattrell points to a recent project pairing Benjamin Moore’s China White on the main house with Farrow & Ball’s Treron (a herbaceous green) on the shutters.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Families can immerse themselves in awe-inspiring landscapes and see rare wildlife, while having access to a wide array of activities back on board.—
Jessica Puckett,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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Bennett describes her child as one who is constantly immersed in sound and rhythm, never missing an opportunity to sing and dance.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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No Spotify playlists needed here—the natural sounds of this Arctic retreat are the perfect antidote to busy urban life.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
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Another busied himself writing and rewriting the mundane information on his slate.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The idea was likened to a national version of unearthing an ancient Egyptian tomb and expected to fascinate audiences.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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Alicia Johnson, who lives in Onarga in Iroquois County, said she was fascinated by the neighborhood.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The attack threw into chaos one of Washington’s premier social events, which every year attracts some of the country’s most powerful people and the journalists who cover them.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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The standoff beneath the bridge, where whole neighborhoods were dislocated by construction and residents had long been promised a park, quickly attracted national attention.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If a guy whose brother is engaged to Taylor Swift can pick a barbecue spot blind and land on a Charlotte favorite, that tells you something.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
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Viewers are now asked to throw support behind their favorite contestants by engaging on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.—
Philiana Ng,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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