preoccupation
noun
pre·oc·cu·pa·tion
(ˌ)prē-ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən 
1
: an act of preoccupying : the state of being preoccupied
2
a
: extreme or excessive concern with something
b
: something that preoccupies one
Examples of preoccupation in a Sentence
We need to better understand the problems and preoccupations of our clients.
the future entomologist's preoccupation with insects from a very early age
Recent Examples on the Web
So much so that the very act of regulating my blood sugar goes well beyond a healthy preoccupation and turns into something uglier.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 2 July 2025
But those with knowledge of Newcastle’s transfer blueprint contest the hypothesis that Howe has a preoccupation with Premier League players, even if the likelihood is that the bulk of summer recruits will come from domestic clubs.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Nearly half of these offenders exhibited evidence of fixation – an intense or obsessive preoccupation with an individual, activity, or idea.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 16 June 2025
These prove out Fielder’s intuition that aviation safety depends on candid cockpit conversation, a particularly high-stakes—and, crucially, perhaps tractable—example of Fielder’s over-all preoccupation with the fear and anxiety that inhibits genuine communication.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
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Lizz Schumer, People.com, 2 July 2025
But those with knowledge of Newcastle’s transfer blueprint contest the hypothesis that Howe has a preoccupation with Premier League players, even if the likelihood is that the bulk of summer recruits will come from domestic clubs.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Nearly half of these offenders exhibited evidence of fixation – an intense or obsessive preoccupation with an individual, activity, or idea.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 16 June 2025
These prove out Fielder’s intuition that aviation safety depends on candid cockpit conversation, a particularly high-stakes—and, crucially, perhaps tractable—example of Fielder’s over-all preoccupation with the fear and anxiety that inhibits genuine communication.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupation. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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