preoccupy
verb (used with object)
to absorb or engross to the exclusion of other things.
was preoccupying
-
past progressiveof preoccupy.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
And what was preoccupying him was obvious: “This idea occurred to me,” he says, “and it opened things up.”
From New York Times ● Jul. 2, 2020
It really was preoccupying my mind the night of the Emmys.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2020
"What was preoccupying people was a range of low-level nuisances that the police didn't prioritise," Squires adds.
From BBC ● May 23, 2012
But one thing in particular was preoccupying Mr. LaMura: the Bayonne Bridge.
From New York Times ● Jul. 9, 2011
Phineas had one of those minds which could record what is happening in the background and do nothing about it because something else was preoccupying him.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
