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keep busy

VERB

employ

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apply engage exploit handle occupy operate spend use utilize

STRONG

bestow exercise exert fill manipulate

WEAK

bring to bear put to use take up use up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be lazy surrender yield

STRONG

take

WEAK

fire ignore lay off let go misuse shun unemploy

VERB

engage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrest catch employ fascinate immerse interest involve join participate preoccupy undertake

STRONG

absorb allure bewitch busy captivate charm draw enamor enchant enthrall grip imbue monopolize partake practice soak tackle

WEAK

embark on enter into give a try give a whirl go for broke go in for go out for have a fling at have a go at have a shot at pitch in preengage set about take part tie up try on for size

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore disenchant disinterest free ignore let go release

STRONG

disgust forget neglect offend repel repulse turn off

WEAK

discharge disconnect

VERB

occupy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attend employ fill involve take up

STRONG

absorb amuse busy divert engage engross entertain immerse interest monopolize preoccupy soak utilize

WEAK

be active with be concerned with hold attention tie up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore

STRONG

bore forget refuse reject

WEAK

be inactive be lazy idle not use

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She has picked up a couple of temporary jobs since then to keep busy, and did so again last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

"People had more time to try to find something to keep busy with, and plants were one of the only things that in your house, could connect you to the outside world."

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

All around them is noise and chaos, as toddlers, children and adults bustle about to keep busy and try to create scraps of normalcy despite the extraordinary circumstances.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2023

Alexandra’s father sat quietly beside her as she tried to keep busy by drawing in her sketchbook, eventually burying her face in her stuffed animal.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2023

Glad of an excuse to keep busy, he thought.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

keep busy

Example Sentences

Related Words