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

"Write-in responses showed that consumers continued to be preoccupied with rising prices in general, and for groceries and gasoline in particular," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board in Washington.

From Reuters • Sep. 26, 2023

“They know perfectly well if the people are hungry, they will be preoccupied only by their hunger.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2023

Mr. Xi is sure to be preoccupied then with the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February and a Communist Party congress in November that is expected to extend his rule.

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2021

And his father...his father would always be preoccupied with conquest—and wouldn’t stop until every continent bore Adarlan’s flag.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas