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keep busy

VERB

employ

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apply engage exploit handle occupy operate spend use utilize

STRONG

bestow exercise exert fill manipulate

WEAK

bring to bear put to use take up use up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be lazy surrender yield

STRONG

take

WEAK

fire ignore lay off let go misuse shun unemploy

VERB

engage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrest catch employ fascinate immerse interest involve join participate preoccupy undertake

STRONG

absorb allure bewitch busy captivate charm draw enamor enchant enthrall grip imbue monopolize partake practice soak tackle

WEAK

embark on enter into give a try give a whirl go for broke go in for go out for have a fling at have a go at have a shot at pitch in preengage set about take part tie up try on for size

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore disenchant disinterest free ignore let go release

STRONG

disgust forget neglect offend repel repulse turn off

WEAK

discharge disconnect

VERB

occupy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attend employ fill involve take up

STRONG

absorb amuse busy divert engage engross entertain immerse interest monopolize preoccupy soak utilize

WEAK

be active with be concerned with hold attention tie up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore

STRONG

bore forget refuse reject

WEAK

be inactive be lazy idle not use

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.

To keep busy, Trump insiders are facilitating negotiations between bondholders and the Rodríguez clan to restructure more than $150 billion in debt owed by the government and the state-owned oil company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

"He won't stop, he loves to keep busy, he knows no other way apart from to work hard," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2025

Alexandra’s father sat quietly beside her as she tried to keep busy by drawing in her sketchbook, eventually burying her face in her stuffed animal.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2023

I’ve tried to keep busy in the ways I could.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 27, 2023

“I’ve just about had it with this project. Maybe she’ll keep busy with the cookies and I won’t have to try to make much conversation.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

keep busy

Example Sentences

Related Words