Synonyms of preoccupation

preoccupation

noun

(ˌ)prē-ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən 

as in obsession

something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned

the future entomologist's preoccupation with insects from a very early age

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obsession
• problem
• fascination
• fixation
• fetish
• enthusiasm
• mania
• fetich
• thirst
• prepossession
• idée fixe
• longing
• monomania
• desire
• compulsion
• infatuation
• craving
• tendency
• trip
• appetite
• hunger
• yearning
• complex
• passion
• predilection
• urge
• idiosyncrasy
• proclivity
• quirk
• lust
• penchant
• predisposition
• hang-up
• propensity
• inclination
• yen
• itch
• pining
• bent
• hankering
• drive
• partiality
• disposition
• cacoëthes
• leaning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• disregard
• apathy
• nonchalance
• unconcern
• insouciance
• disinterestedness
• unconcernedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preoccupation

But there’s nothing conscious on my part about ongoing preoccupations or consistencies or running themes or any of that. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025

Schrader doubles down on his thematic and stylistic preoccupations — Bressonian visual gestures, Dostoyevskian spiritual journeys, and a pointed social conscience, to name a few — but The Card Counter never feels like a retread of past ideas. —Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025

In addition, and perhaps this is surprising, the preoccupation can be about generative AI and LLMs. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Projecting stability and control has long been one of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s biggest preoccupations, its implicit justification for limiting citizens’ civil liberties. —Vivian Wang, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025