preoccupied
adjective
pre·oc·cu·pied
(ˌ)prē-ˈä-kyə-ˌpīd 
1
: previously applied to another group and unavailable for use in a new sense
—used of a biological generic or specific name
2
a
: lost in thought
also
: absorbed in some preoccupation
b
: already occupied
Examples of preoccupied in a Sentence
too preoccupied with her worries to enjoy the meal
Recent Examples on the Web
Like many other Gilbert parents, Weinberger had become preoccupied with Lord’s death and was a regular on the Facebook groups and Reddit forums in which the case was discussed in obsessive detail, and in occasionally conspiratorial tones.
—
Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
Scholz will therefore be even more preoccupied in the coming 15 months with keeping his coalition together, leaving him little time or energy to deal with the EU’s challenges.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2024
But the narrator of All Fours is not overly preoccupied with death.
—Christine Smallwood, Vulture, 6 May 2024
Not surprisingly, the United States became preoccupied with the threats coming from Iran, and Iran became preoccupied with the threats coming from the United States.
—Jon B. Alterman, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preoccupied 
Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
Scholz will therefore be even more preoccupied in the coming 15 months with keeping his coalition together, leaving him little time or energy to deal with the EU’s challenges.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2024
But the narrator of All Fours is not overly preoccupied with death.
—Christine Smallwood, Vulture, 6 May 2024
Not surprisingly, the United States became preoccupied with the threats coming from Iran, and Iran became preoccupied with the threats coming from the United States.
—Jon B. Alterman, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preoccupied
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preoccupied.' 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 preoccupied
Cite this Entry
“Preoccupied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preoccupied. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preoccupied
adjective
pre·oc·cu·pied
(ˈ)prē-ˈäk-yə-ˌpīd
1
: lost in thought : engrossed
2
: already occupied
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