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preoccupied vs occupied

Both 'preoccupied' and 'occupied' are correct, but they have different meanings and usage. 'Preoccupied' means being absorbed in thought or engrossed in something, while 'occupied' simply means being busy or engaged with a task. The choice between the two depends on the context and the specific meaning you want to convey.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 1703 views

preoccupied

The term 'preoccupied' is correct and commonly used in English to describe being absorbed in thought or engrossed in something.

Use 'preoccupied' when you want to convey that someone's mind is fully engaged in a particular thought or activity, often to the exclusion of other things.

Examples:

She was so preoccupied with her work that she forgot about the meeting.
He seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts and didn't hear the question.

Show examples from the web [+]

preoccupied. star. see definition of preoccupied. Font size. X. Aa. Aa. Aa. Aa. Aa. show ... Synonyms for preoccupied. adj busy; mentally caught up in something.
thinking about something a lot or too much. 22 charming words for nasty people » . Full Definition of PREOCCUPIED. 1. : previously applied to another group and ...
When you're preoccupied, you're completely focused on whatever it is that you're doing. It's good to be preoccupied when you're driving, as long as you're ...
Biology. already used as a name for some species, genus, etc., and not available as a designation for any other. Origin of preoccupied. Expand. 1835-1845.

Alternatives:

absorbed
engrossed
lost in thought
distracted

occupied

The term 'occupied' is correct and commonly used in English to describe being busy or engaged with a task.

Use 'occupied' when you want to indicate that someone is busy or engaged in an activity, without the specific connotation of being absorbed in thought.

Examples:

She was occupied with her work all day.
The children were occupied with their games.

Show examples from the web [+]

No foreign army has ever occupied American soil.
Soldiers have disembarked and occupied the adjoining streets.
1730, it was occupied by a Mr Chicken.
All right, I'll find Bates and keep him occupied.
This hypothesis occupied scientists all over the world.
There's not this occupied factory only.
Almost every human has been successfully occupied.
Cyprus also was temporarily recovered and Bari occupied.
Bulgaria and Rumania before Jugoslavia and Greece were occupied.
Fight in the occupied territory entered organizationally new stage.
You're safer penetrating occupied France.
Responsible for commanding Russian forces that have occupied Ukrainian sovereign territory.
Eight years ago Milosevic unlawfully occupied Kosovo.
My country has never been occupied.
Each occupied enclosure should be cleaned at least daily.
Originally central part was occupied by monastic church.
Capturing an occupied Repository WILL cause repercussions.
Hamburg was destroyed and occupied several times.
All major intersections have been occupied by angry protesters.
Three weeks ago the demonstrators occupied Parliament.

Alternatives:

busy
engaged
working
involved

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