preoccupied
adjective
Synonyms
- absent
- absentminded
- abstracted
- distracted
Example Sentences
Brooklyn White, Essence, 8 Sep. 2022 The country was more preoccupied with controlling gas, oil, telecommunications, finance, and traditional media. Wired, 20 July 2022 Why, then, is YouTube so preoccupied with lassoing every star that falls off the Twitch bandwagon? Nathan Grayson, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 Market watchers have become preoccupied with figuring out which cohorts of investors are getting hurt the most during the current crypto winter. Vildana Hajric, Fortune, 15 June 2022 Market watchers have become preoccupied with figuring out which cohorts of investors are getting hurt the most during the current crypto winter. Vildana Hajric, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022 Or even just totally preoccupied with a new job or local drama. Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 13 June 2022 And emasculation had no place in Italian Futurism, the bizarre and nationalist art movement founded by Marinetti in 1909 on the belief that Italy could never gain primacy if its feeble men were so preoccupied with history and tradition. Amanda Arnold, Bon Appétit, 23 June 2022 That's not the only parallel between the two princesses—like Diana, Sisi lived with a severe eating disorder, and was very preoccupied with maintaining her figure and beauty at all costs. Emma Dibdin, Town & Country, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing preoccupied
Kids Definition
preoccupied
adjective
Lloyd Alexander, Time Catpreoccupied 1 of 2
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- distracted
- confused
- bewildered
- absent
- dazed
- absentminded
- abstracted
- oblivious
- absorbed
- engrossed
- forgetful
- forgetting
- unaware
- daydreaming
- pensive
- dreaming
- inattentive
- intent
- unmindful
- unconscious
- rapt
- dreamy
- befuddled
- faraway
- heedless
- bemused
- unperceptive
- unfocused
- muddled
- clueless
- scatterbrained
- unheeding
- unthinking
- unwitting
- unfocussed
- vacant
- hazy
- unknowing
- foggy
- befogged
- flighty
- unwary
- insensible
- birdbrained
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- engaged
- aware
- conscious
- alert
- wary
- attentive
- mindful
- vigilant
- watchful
- alive
- observing
- observant
- heedful
- sharp
- clearheaded
- wide-awake
- open-eyed
- heads-up
preoccupied
2 of 2verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- interested
- distracted
- intrigued
- fascinated
- occupied
- engrossed
- busied
- obsessed
- attracted
- bemused
- immersed
- involved
- enthralled
- engaged
- gripped
- captivated
- absorbed
- charmed
- caught up
- bewitched
- enwrapped
- beguiled
- enchanted
- allured
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bored
- tired
- wearied
- jaded
- palled
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of preoccupied are absentminded, absent, abstracted, and distracted. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.
Although the words absent and preoccupied have much in common, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.
The meanings of absentminded and preoccupied largely overlap; however, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.
The words abstracted and preoccupied can be used in similar contexts, but abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.
While in some cases nearly identical to preoccupied, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.