preoccupies

Preoccupies is the third-person singular present tense of the verb preoccupy. In modern use, it most often means to absorb someone’s thoughts or attention, usually with concern, anxiety, or distraction. It can also describe something that takes precedence or occupies the focus of a person or group at a given time, as in a matter that dominates deliberations.

The verb can be used transitively with the preposition with, as in preoccupy someone with something, meaning to engross or burden them with concern or tasks. It is common to hear statements such as, “The upcoming exam preoccupies her,” or, “The budget crisis preoccupies the council.” The related adjective preoccupied describes a state of mental preoccupation, as in, “He is preoccupied with the news.”

Etymology and history: Preoccupy derives from Latin praeoccupare, from prae- meaning before and occupare meaning to occupy. The figurative sense of occupying the mind in advance developed in English over time, giving rise to the current usage that emphasizes mental focus and concern rather than literal physical occupancy.

Usage notes: Preoccupies is typically used for singular nouns or third-person subjects (it preoccupies, he preoccupies, the issue preoccupies). It is somewhat formal and more common in written English than in casual speech. Words with related meaning include occupy, engross, concern, and bother, though preoccupy emphasizes the preexisting or ongoing nature of the mental focus.