Preoccupy
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /pɹɪˈɒkjupaɪ/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Preoccupy is a verb meaning (transitive) To distract; to draw attention elsewhere.
Meaning
(transitive) To distract; to draw attention elsewhere.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To worry or concern (someone) so as to distract them.
- (transitive, obsolete) To occupy or take possession of beforehand.
Example Sentences
It always preoccupies me when he acts like this.
The father tried to preoccupy the child with his keys.
Terrified at this uproar, […] she ran for shelter into the place which was pre-occupied by the other lady […].
Dr. Beeching's obvious intent is that if Scottish—and similarly unprofitable English and Welsh—railways are to be maintained, it must be done by an unconcealed subsidy; he is determined that the railways shall no longer be preoccupied with—and derided for—immense deficits which include the burden of social services the State must openly underwrite, if it wants them.
Word Forms
- preoccupies
- preoccupying
- preoccupied
Synonyms for preoccupy
Depending on context, synonyms include exercise.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include worry, concern, vex, deal, occupy, employ.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.