Meaning
To preoccupy means to completely absorb or dominate someone’s thoughts or attention, often to the point where they are unaware of other things around them.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Verb (transitive)
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Forms: preoccupies, preoccupied, preoccupying
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Typical pattern:
- preoccupy somebody → “The idea preoccupied him.”
- be preoccupied with something (adjective form) → “She was preoccupied with her studies.”
Common Phrases
- be preoccupied with → to be deeply focused on or worried about something
- completely preoccupied → to be totally absorbed in thoughts or concerns
- mentally preoccupied → to have one’s mind elsewhere
Collocations
- preoccupy the mind
- preoccupy someone’s thoughts
- be preoccupied with details
- deeply preoccupied
- seem preoccupied
Examples
- The problem of climate change preoccupies many scientists.
- He was too preoccupied with his work to notice her leaving.
- The thought of failure preoccupied her mind before the exam.
- She seemed preoccupied during dinner and hardly spoke.
- The upcoming trial preoccupied the nation’s attention.
- He is completely preoccupied with making money.
- Don’t let minor details preoccupy you too much.
- The idea of moving abroad preoccupied his thoughts all week.
Synonyms or Related
- absorb
- engage
- distract
- obsess
- concern
- occupy