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preoccupying

UK
/priːˈɒkjʊpaɪɪŋ/
US
/priˈɑkjəˌpaɪɪŋ/

Translations

preoccupyinggerund / present participle
UK
/priːˈɒkjʊpaɪɪŋ/
US
/priˈɑkjəˌpaɪɪŋ/
Used predicatively and attributively as a present-participle adjective.
The preoccupying prospect of losing his job made it hard for him to focus on anything else.
La perspective préoccupante de perdre son emploi l’empêchait de se concentrer sur autre chose.
Synonyms
intriguing
fascinating
distracting
consuming
engrossing
absorbing
preoccupyverb

preoccupying

Gerund

preoccupied
Past Simple
preoccupied
Past Participle
preoccupying
Gerund
UK
/priːˈɒkjʊpaɪ/
US
/priˈɑkjəˌpaɪ/
The upcoming exam seemed to preoccupy her thoughts all week.
L'examen à venir semblait préoccuper ses pensées toute la semaine.
Additional translations
préempterSens soutenu, rare ou archaïque : prendre possession à l'avance.
Synonyms
absorb
engross
preoccupy oneself
concern
haunt
fascinate
intrigue
occupy

Definitions

preoccupyinggerund / present participle
So absorbing or engaging that it occupies a person’s thoughts or attention to a marked degree.
The preoccupying prospect of losing his job made it hard for him to focus on anything else.
preoccupyverb
To dominate or engross the mind of someone to the exclusion of other thoughts.
The upcoming exam seemed to preoccupy her thoughts all week.
To seize or occupy something beforehand, especially before someone else can do so (archaic or formal).
The settlers sought to preoccupy the fertile valley before their rivals arrived.
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