The father tried to preoccupy the child with his keys.
Source: wiktionary
Preoccupy
/pɹɪˈɒkjupaɪ/
Synonyms for "preoccupy" (118 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (24)
Strong matches (35)
Verb(13 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Related words (59)
hogholdhold spellboundhold the interesthypnotizeimmerseimpelindentinfatuateinvolveinvolve the interestjump a claimmake free withmake use ofmesmerizemonopolizemonopolize the thoughtsnot let goobsessobsess the mind
Show 20 more words
occupyoccupy the attentionoccupy the mindoverrunpossesspreemptpreengageprepossessrequisitionseize the mindsit onspellbindsquat onsubjugatetake all oftake it alltake overtake possession oftake upusurp
Adjective(2 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: absorb, absorb, absorb the attention, accroach, adopt.
- Sentence evidence is available for preoccupy, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "preoccupy".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "preoccupy"
Keep "preoccupy" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "preoccupy" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "preoccupy", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "preoccupy" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
12 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
5 entriesintense preoccupationmental preoccupationpersistent preoccupationpreoccupation withunhealthy preoccupation
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
Dr. Beeching's obvious intent is that if Scottish—and similarly unprofitable English and Welsh—railways are to be maintained, it must be done by an unconcealed subsidy; he is determined that the railways shall no longer be preoccupied with—and derided for—immense deficits which include the burden of social services the State must openly underwrite, if it wants them.
Source: wiktionary
It always preoccupies me when he acts like this.
Source: wiktionary
Terrified at this uproar, […] she ran for shelter into the place which was pre-occupied by the other lady […].
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "preoccupy"?
Closest matches include absorb, absorb, absorb the attention, accroach, adopt.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "preoccupy"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.