preoccupy

verb

pre·​oc·​cu·​py (ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī How to pronounce preoccupy (audio)
preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies
Synonyms of preoccupy

transitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The relationship between financial crises and imperial strategy preoccupied Marxist scholars for more than a century. — Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026 Both are preoccupied with questions of truth and performance; inevitably, there’s a meta layer to the proceedings. — Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 Reigns, as Knight has pointed out, hasn’t had The Bloodline in his corner as they’ve been preoccupied with Jacob Fatu’s dominance and the 946 faction. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 At the time, I was preoccupied with a Department of Homeland Security warning that Iranian actors and sympathizers could target the US with cyberattacks. — Justine Calma, The Verge, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preoccupy

Word History

Etymology

Latin praeoccupare, literally, to seize in advance, from prae- + occupare to seize, occupy

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preoccupy was in 1567

Rhymes for preoccupy

See All Rhymes for preoccupy

Browse Nearby Words

preoccupiedly
preoccupy
preocular
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

preoccupy

verb
pre·​oc·​cu·​py (ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī How to pronounce preoccupy (audio)
1
: to hold the attention of beforehand
2
: to take possession of before another
preoccupation
(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
noun

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