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
Children are supposed to be shielded from harsh realities, to be happily preoccupied with make-believe, to have their innocence protected.
—
Haley Strack, National Review, 19 Sep. 2024
As Amber, Jack and talky Bowman (Kalon Cox), the original object of Amber’s ire, join forces to fend off their adversaries, oblivious Dad, whose realtor sister (D’Arcy Carden) has the listing on their home, is preoccupied just trying to get the place in order.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2024
John Turturro also features as Damian, a fellow writer preoccupied with the imminent end of the world thanks to climate change.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024
The two also sing, bringing fresh life into a film so preoccupied with the past.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preoccupy 
Haley Strack, National Review, 19 Sep. 2024
As Amber, Jack and talky Bowman (Kalon Cox), the original object of Amber’s ire, join forces to fend off their adversaries, oblivious Dad, whose realtor sister (D’Arcy Carden) has the listing on their home, is preoccupied just trying to get the place in order.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2024
John Turturro also features as Damian, a fellow writer preoccupied with the imminent end of the world thanks to climate change.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024
The two also sing, bringing fresh life into a film so preoccupied with the past.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preoccupy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preoccupy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near preoccupy
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupy. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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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