preoccupy (B2)

verb

Pronunciation: /ˌpriːˈɒkjʊpaɪ/

Definition

To have someone's attention completely, so that they cannot think about anything else.

Examples

• The fear of failure began to preoccupy her.

• Don't let trivial matters preoccupy you.

• His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of his sick mother.

How to Use preoccupy

preoccupied with (prepositional phrase)

To be thinking about something so much that you do not notice other things. — "He was so preoccupied with his phone that he didn't see me."

Synonyms of preoccupy

Words with a similar meaning to preoccupy:

• concern
• absorb
• engross
• consume

Antonyms of preoccupy

Words with the opposite meaning to preoccupy:

• disregard
• ignore

Browse the full Anaversity dictionary