preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpī 
preoccupied; preoccupying; preoccupies
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
Americans have been largely preoccupied with the impact of Trump’s whipsaw tariffs on their own economy.
—
Ian Cooper, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
During the meeting, Musk appeared preoccupied with his collection of hats—cycling through a DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) cap, a Gulf of America hat, and ultimately stacking them atop one another.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Canadians heading to the polls were preoccupied both with the country’s relationship with its neighbor to the south and with the state of the economy at home.
—Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Participants in the study experienced a 13-point drop in IQ when they were preoccupied with scarcity concerns.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
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Ian Cooper, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
During the meeting, Musk appeared preoccupied with his collection of hats—cycling through a DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) cap, a Gulf of America hat, and ultimately stacking them atop one another.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Canadians heading to the polls were preoccupied both with the country’s relationship with its neighbor to the south and with the state of the economy at home.
—Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Participants in the study experienced a 13-point drop in IQ when they were preoccupied with scarcity concerns.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupy
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preoccupy
verb
pre·oc·cu·py
(ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpī
1
: to hold the attention of beforehand
2
: to take possession of before another
preoccupation
noun
(ˌ)prē-ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
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