be preoccupied
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the betting here is that a viewer will be preoccupied by thinking about the multitude of head injuries someone like Robby would encounter in the E.R., and why he doesn’t wear a helmet himself.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026
“If he has been arrested and there is no explanation from the top, one can imagine his subordinates might be preoccupied with their own safety not the war.”
From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2023
“And when you do that, you can’t be preoccupied anymore about, ‘Oh my God, I feel so horrible.’”
From Seattle Times • Jun. 16, 2023
Kurniasih Mufidayati, a PKS lawmaker and part of parliament’s legislative body, said it was unlikely the bill could be passed by April, as legislators would be preoccupied with other laws.
From Reuters • Mar. 17, 2022
“Will you please stop talking about imprisonment? You seem to be preoccupied with the thought. Actually, you seem to enjoy thinking about it. Martyrdom is meaningless in our age.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
