'Preoccupy' definitions:
Definition of 'preoccupy'
(from WordNet)
verb
Engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively; "His work preoccupies him"; "The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else"
verb
Occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance; "the army preoccupied the hills"
Definition of 'Preoccupy'
From: GCIDE
- Preoccupy \Pre*oc"cu*py\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preoccupied (-p[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying.] [Cf. F. pr['e]occuper. See Preoccupate, Occupy.]
- 1. To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a country not before held. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice. [1913 Webster]
- I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections than to preoccupy his judgment. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'preoccupy'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- absorb,
- absorb the attention,
- adopt,
- appropriate,
- arrest,
- arrogate,
- assume,
- beset,
- catch,
- charm,
- colonize,
- come uppermost,
- compel,
- conquer,
- drive,
- enchant,
- engage,
- engage the attention,
- engage the mind,
- engage the thoughts,
- engross,
- engross the mind,
- engross the thoughts,
- enslave,
- enthrall,
- exercise,
- fascinate,
- fill the mind,
- grab,
- grip,
- hog,
- hold,
- hold spellbound,
- hold the interest,
- hypnotize,
- immerse,
- impel,
- indent,
- infatuate,
- involve,
- involve the interest,
- jump a claim,
- make free with,
- make use of,
- mesmerize,
- monopolize,
- monopolize the thoughts,
- not let go,
- obsess,
- obsess the mind,
- occupy,
- occupy the attention,
- occupy the mind,
- overrun,
- possess,
- preempt,
- preengage,
- prepossess,
- requisition,
- seize the mind,
- sit on,
- spellbind,
- squat on,
- subjugate,
- take all of,
- take it all,
- take over,
- take possession of,
- take up,
- usurp