Synonyms

preoccupy

American

[pree-ok-yuh-pahy] / priˈɒk yəˌpaɪ /

verb (used with object)

preoccupied, preoccupying

to absorb or engross to the exclusion of other things.
to occupy beforehand or before others.

preoccupy British

/ priːˈɒkjʊˌpaɪ /

verb

to engross the thoughts or mind of
to occupy before or in advance of another

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

overpreoccupy verb (used with object)
preoccupier noun

Etymology

Origin of preoccupy

First recorded in 1560–70; pre- + occupy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While her classmates were preoccupied with exams, the May ball and where to spend their summers, Franks was worried about making her rent.

From BBC

Shabbas is a time when children need to be kept happy and preoccupied within certain limits while their parents are busy praying, preparing meals or napping.

From The Wall Street Journal

China is struggling to maintain its annual growth target of 5% and is preoccupied with exporting its excess production.

From Barron's

The future preoccupying him right now, though, is the 2026 harvest.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023