as in obsession
something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned
the future entomologist's preoccupation with insects from a very early age
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Recent Examples of preoccupation
Justice notes these preoccupations often impact our wellness in subtle and overlooked ways that can add up to significant harm like sleep disturbance, irritability, uncontrolled worry, ruminating about the ‘what ifs,’ exhaustion, burnout, and over-functioning.
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Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
The researchers chose this term because of its similarity to a condition called orthorexia, an unhealthy preoccupation with healthy eating.
—Stacey Colino, Time, 26 Aug. 2025
Managing one’s personal reputation used to be a preoccupation mainly for celebrities and PR firms, but Gen Z’s habitation of digital spaces allows their every move (or post) to be scrutinized and judged by their peers.
—Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
There’s this preoccupation with deaths from nuclear power, but what’s rarely talked about are all the lives that have been saved.
—Big Think, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
The researchers chose this term because of its similarity to a condition called orthorexia, an unhealthy preoccupation with healthy eating.
—Stacey Colino, Time, 26 Aug. 2025
Managing one’s personal reputation used to be a preoccupation mainly for celebrities and PR firms, but Gen Z’s habitation of digital spaces allows their every move (or post) to be scrutinized and judged by their peers.
—Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
There’s this preoccupation with deaths from nuclear power, but what’s rarely talked about are all the lives that have been saved.
—Big Think, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preoccupation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preoccupation
obsession
Noun
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With a single photo, though, Swift vaulted it from obscurity into obsession.—
Malaika Crawford,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
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In partnership with The Hollywood Roosevelt, the series will see Murgatroyd catch up with fellow reality television stars at the iconic hotel, discussing topics such as motherhood, entrepreneurship, career journeys and their favorite reality TV obsessions.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preoccupation. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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