preoccupied

[pree-ok-yuh-pahyd] / priˈɒk yəˌpaɪd /

ADJECTIVE

busy; mentally caught up in something

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absorbed bemused distracted engaged engrossed fascinated forgetful obsessed

STRONG

absent abstracted bugged daydreaming immersed lost mooning removed spellbound woolgathering

WEAK

absent-minded airheaded asleep deep distrait faraway have on the brain heedless hung up inconscient intent lost in thought moony oblivious rapt spread-out taken up unaware wrapped-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bored disenthralled disinterested indifferent uninterested

STRONG

existing

WEAK

observant thoughtful unoccupied

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.

Our society has once again become disturbingly preoccupied with sex and gender.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

Schlamminger skipped the conference's morning sessions, preoccupied with worries about temperature fluctuations, pressure changes, and other tiny effects that might distort the results.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

In such cases, the creatures may be unaware of the dangers because they are preoccupied, for example, by feeding, she said.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

But EV sales — despite being the cash engine fueling Tesla’s massive ambitions — have become less of a concern for investors, who are now preoccupied by Tesla’s robotaxi service.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Out on the patio, the visiting relatives have left, and only the compound folks remain, talking in low, preoccupied voices.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Vocabulary lists containing preoccupied

"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury

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I Am Malala

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The Breadwinner

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