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

“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

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

“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