Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The state of being preoccupied; absorption of the attention or intellect.
- noun Something that preoccupies or engrosses the mind.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The act of preoccupying, or seizing beforehand; possession gained in advance.
- noun The act of anticipating; anticipation.
- noun The state of being preoccupied; prior engrossment or absorption.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The act of preoccupying, or taking possession of beforehand; the state of being preoccupied; prepossession.
- noun rare Anticipation of objections.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun The state of being
preoccupied or anidea thatpreoccupies themind ;enthrallment . - noun The act of
occupying something before someone else.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
- noun the mental state of being preoccupied by something
- noun the act of taking occupancy before someone else does
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The intelligentsia are as confused as before, and their main preoccupation is finding culprits abroad, such as the Elders of Zion and the Western imperialists, for the misery of their society.
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The intelligentsia are as confused as before, and their main preoccupation is finding culprits abroad, such as the Elders of Zion and the Western imperialists, for the misery of their society.
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But what Councils do not deal with, and therefore neglect, is also of great significance: thus Vatican II was deafeningly silent about what was to become the main preoccupation of the pontificate of John Paul II: evangelisation.
Newman, Continuity and Vatican II according to Fr. Ian Ker 2009
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Their major preoccupation is to see the end of 'Lost' before their neighbour, who is still watching the first series, so that they can feel superior in their technological prowess.
The End Of The Cycle 2006
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Halperin begins his defense of historicism by admitting "my major preoccupation is with the accurate decipherment of historical documents"
The Uses and Abuses of Historicism: Halperin and Shelley on the Otherness of Ancient Greek Sexuality 2006
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Dance and movement have been my main preoccupation lately, pushing out knitting and fiber arts somewhat.
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Of course, my current preoccupation is a crime novel.
The many genres of DNW deep_bluze 2005
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However, my main preoccupation today will be whether West Ham can beat Wolves and go through to the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Archive 2004-01-01 2004
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I did some research as a medical student, my main preoccupation was with becoming a physician who could serve in the armed forces.
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Mention of the Second World War brings me back to Christie's main preoccupation which was to get the fine art business back on its feet.
Related Words
synonyms (220)
Words with the same meaning
- Walter Mitty
- absence of mind
- absentmindedness
- absorbed attention
- absorption
- abstractedness
- abstraction
- abulia
- adoption
- adverse possession
- alienation
- alodium
- anxiety
- anxiety equivalent
- anxiety state
- apathy
- application
- appropriation
- arrogation
- assiduity
- assiduousness
- assumption
- bemusement
- brown study
- bulldog tenacity
- burgage
- castle-building
- catatonic stupor
- claim
- close study
- colonization
- colony
- complex
- compulsion
- concentration
- conquest
- constancy
- contemplation
- contemplativeness
- daydream
- daydreamer
- daydreaming
- de facto
- de jure
- deep study
- deep thought
- dejection
- dependency
- depression
- depth of thought
- derivative title
- detachment
- diligence
- dogged perseverance
- doggedness
- dream
- dreaming
- elation
- emotionalism
- endurance
- engagement
- engrossment
- enslavement
- euphoria
- fantasy
- fantasying
- fascination
- fee fief
- fee position
- fee simple
- fee simple absolute
- fee simple conditional
- fee simple defeasible
- fee simple determinable
- fee tail
- feodum
- feud
- fidelity
- fiefdom
- fit of abstraction
- fixation
- fixed idea
- folie du doute
- frankalmoign
- free socage
- freehold
- gavelkind
- hang-up
- having title to
- hold
- holding
- hypercathexis
- hypochondria
- hysteria
- hysterics
- idee fixe
- immersion
- indefatigability
- indent
- indifference
- industriousness
- industry
- insensibility
- insistence
- insistency
- intentness
- involvement
- irresistible impulse
- knight service
- lay fee
- lease
- leasehold
- legal claim
- legal possession
- lethargy
- loyalty
- mandate
- mania
- meditation
- melancholia
- melancholy
- mental distress
- monomania
- mooning
- moonraking
- morbid drive
- muse
- musefulness
- musing
- muted ecstasy
- obsession
- obsessive compulsion
- obstinacy
- occupancy
- occupation
- original title
- owning
- pathological indecisiveness
- patience
- patience of Job
- pensiveness
- permanence
- perseverance
- persistence
- persistency
- pertinaciousness
- pertinacity
- pipe dream
- pipe-dreaming
- plodding
- plugging
- possessing
- possession
- preemption
- preoccupancy
- prepossession
- prescription
- profound thought
- property
- property rights
- proprietary rights
- psychalgia
- psychomotor disturbance
- rapt attention
- reflectiveness
- relentlessness
- requisition
- resolution
- reverie
- ruling passion
- sedulity
- sedulousness
- seisin
- single-mindedness
- singleness of purpose
- slogging
- socage
- speculativeness
- squatting
- stability
- stamina
- stargazing
- staying power
- steadfastness
- steadiness
- stick-to-itiveness
- stubbornness
- studiousness
- study
- stupor
- subjugation
- sublease
- submersion
- takeover
- taking over
- tenaciousness
- tenacity
- tenancy
- tenantry
- tenure
- tenure in chivalry
- thoughtfulness
- tic
- tirelessness
- title
- trance
- twitching
- underlease
- undertenancy
- unremittingness
- unresponsiveness
- unswerving attention
- usucapion
- usurpation
- villein socage
- villeinhold
- villenage
- wistfulness
- withdrawal
- woolgathering
hypernyms (3)
Words that are more generic or abstract
same context (18)
Words that are found in similar contexts
rhymes (786)
Words with the same terminal sound
- Alsatian
- Americanization
- Appalachian
- Balkanization
- Christianization
- Confederation
- Corp.
- Croatian
- Dalmatian
- Desegregation
- Finlandization
- Haitian
- Horatian
- Incarnation
- Islamization
- Japanimation
- Nation
- Plantation
- Reformation
- Revelation
- Russification
- Tribulation
- Visitation
- abbreviation
- abdication
- aberration
- abomination
- abrogation
- acceleration
- acclamation
- acclimation
- accommodation
- accreditation
- accumulation
- accusation
- acidification
- activation
- adaptation
- adjudication
- administration
- admiration
- adoration
- adulation
- adulteration
- advocation
- affectation
- affiliation
- affirmation
- affrication
- agglomeration
- aggravation
- agitation
- alienation
- allegation
- alleviation
- allocation
- alphabetization
- alsatian
- alteration
- altercation
- amalgamation
- amelioration
- amortization
- amplification
- amputation
- animation
- annexation
- annihilation
- annotation
- anticipation
- antidiscrimination
- appellation
- application
- appreciation
- approbation
- appropriation
- approximation
- arbitration
- argumentation
- articulation
- aspiration
- assassination
- assimilation
- association
- augmentation
- authentication
- authorization
- automation
- aviation
- avocation
- backwardation
- balkanization
- bifurcation
- calculation
- calibration
- cancellation
- cannibalization
- canonization
- capitalization
- capitulation
- carnation
- castration
- categorization
- causation
- cauterization
- celebration
- centralization
- certification
- cessation
- cetacean
- characterization
- citation
- civilization
- clarification
- classification
- coagulation
- codification
- cogeneration
- cogitation
- cohabitation
- collaboration
- collectivization
- collocation
- colonization
- coloration
- colorization
- combination
- commemoration
- commendation
- commercialization
- communication
- communization
- commutation
- compensation
- compilation
- complication
- computation
- computerization
- concatenation
- concentration
- conciliation
- condemnation
- condensation
- confabulation
- confederation
- configuration
- confirmation
- confiscation
- conflagration
- conflation
- confrontation
- conglomeration
- congratulation
- congregation
- conjugation
- connotation
- consecration
- conservation
- consideration
- consolation
- consolidation
- constellation
- consternation
- constipation
- consultation
- consummation
- contamination
- contemplation
- continuation
- conversation
- convocation
- cooperation
- coordination
- coronation
- corp.
- corporation
- correlation
- corroboration
- creation
- cremation
- criminalization
- crustacean
- culmination
- cultivation
- dalmatian
- damnation
- decapitation
- deceleration
- decentralization
- decertification
- declaration
- decontamination
- decoration
- decriminalization
- dedication
- defamation
- deflation
- deforestation
- deformation
- degeneration
- degradation
- dehumanization
- dehydration
- deification
- deinstitutionalization
- delegation
- deliberation
- delineation
- demarcation
- demilitarization
- demobilization
- democratization
- demodulation
- demonization
- demonstration
- demoralization
- denationalization
- denomination
- denuclearization
- denunciation
- deportation
- depravation
- depreciation
- depredation
- deprivation
- deregulation
- derivation
- desalination
- desalinization
- desecration
- desegregation
- desiccation
- designation
- desolation
- desperation
- destabilization
- destination
- determination
- detonation
- detoxication
- detoxification
- devaluation
- devastation
- deviation
- dictation
- differentiation
- dilatation
- dilation
- discoloration
- discontinuation
- discrimination
- disembarkation
- disinclination
- disinflation
- disinformation
- disintegration
- dislocation
- disorganization
- disorientation
- dispensation
- disputation
- disqualification
- dissemination
- dissertation
- dissipation
- dissociation
- distillation
- diversification
- divination
- documentation
- domestication
- domination
- donation
- dramatization
- duplication
- duration
- echolocation
- edification
- education
- ejaculation
- elaboration
- elation
- electrification
- elevation
- elimination
- elongation
- emanation
- emancipation
- embarkation
- emigration
- emulation
- enumeration
- equalization
- equitation
- equivocation
- eradication
- escalation
- estimation
- evacuation
- evaluation
- evaporation
- evocation
- exacerbation
- exaggeration
- examination
- exasperation
- excavation
- excitation
- exclamation
- excommunication
- exfoliation
- exhalation
- exhilaration
- exhortation
- exhumation
- exoneration
- expatriation
- expectation
- experimentation
- expiration
- explanation
- explication
- exploitation
- exploration
- expropriation
- extermination
- extrapolation
- extrication
- fabrication
- facilitation
- falsification
- fascination
- federation
- fermentation
- fertilization
- fibrillation
- figuration
- filtration
- fixation
- flirtation
- flotation
- fluctuation
- fluoridation
- foliation
- formation
- formulation
- fortification
- foundation
- fragmentation
- frustration
- fumigation
- gasification
- gastrulation
- generalization
- generation
- gentrification
- germination
- gestation
- glaciation
- globalization
- glorification
- gradation
- graduation
- granulation
- gratification
- gravitation
- gyration
- habitation
- hallucination
- harmonization
- hesitation
- hibernation
- hospitalization
- humiliation
- hybridization
- hydration
- hydrogenation
- hyperinflation
- hyphenation
- ideation
- identification
- illumination
- illustration
- imagination
- imitation
- immigration
- immunization
- impersonation
- implantation
- implementation
- implication
- importation
- impregnation
- improvisation
- imputation
- inactivation
- inauguration
- incantation
- incapacitation
- incarceration
- incarnation
- inclination
- incoordination
- incorporation
- incrimination
- incrustation
- incubation
- indemnification
- indentation
- indexation
- indication
- indignation
- indoctrination
- industrialization
- infatuation
- infestation
- infiltration
- inflammation
- inflation
- information
- inhabitation
- inhalation
- initiation
- innovation
- inoculation
- insemination
- insinuation
- inspiration
- installation
- instantiation
- instigation
- institutionalization
- instrumentation
- insubordination
- insulation
- integration
- intensification
- internationalization
- interpretation
- interrogation
- intimation
- intimidation
- intonation
- intoxication
- inundation
- invalidation
- investigation
- invitation
- invocation
- ionization
- irradiation
- irrigation
- irritation
- isolation
- jubilation
- justification
- laceration
- lactation
- legalization
- legislation
- levitation
- liberalization
- liberation
- libration
- ligation
- limitation
- liquidation
- litigation
- localization
- location
- lubrication
- machination
- magnetization
- magnification
- malformation
- manifestation
- manipulation
- marginalization
- masturbation
- maturation
- maximization
- mechanization
- mediation
- medication
- meditation
- menstruation
- migration
- mineralization
- miniaturization
- ministration
- misallocation
- misapplication
- misappropriation
- miscalculation
- mischaracterization
- miscommunication
- miscreation
- miseration
- misidentification
- misinformation
- misinterpretation
- misrepresentation
- mitigation
- mobilization
- moderation
- modernization
- modification
- modulation
- molestation
- monopolization
- motivation
- multiplication
- mummification
- mutation
- mutilation
- narration
- nation
- nationalization
- naturalization
- navigation
- negation
- negotiation
- neutralization
- nitration
- nomination
- nondiscrimination
- nonproliferation
- normalization
- notation
- notification
- nucleation
- nullification
- obfuscation
- obligation
- obliteration
- observation
- occupation
- operation
- optation
- optimization
- oration
- orchestration
- ordination
- organisation
- organization
- orientation
- origination
- ornamentation
- oscillation
- ossification
- ostentation
- ovation
- overpopulation
- overregulation
- overvaluation
- ovulation
- oxidation
- pacification
- pagination
- palpitation
- participation
- pasteurization
- penetration
- perforation
- permutation
- perpetuation
- personalization
- personification
- perspiration
- perturbation
- pigmentation
- plantation
- polarization
- politicization
- pollination
- polymerization
- pontification
- popularization
- population
- precipitation
- predation
- predestination
- prefabrication
- premeditation
- preparation
- presentation
- preservation
- pressurization
- prestidigitation
- prevarication
- privation
- privatisation
- privatization
- probation
- proclamation
- procrastination
- procreation
- profanation
- prognostication
- proliferation
- pronunciation
- propagation
- proration
- prostration
- protestation
- provocation
- publication
- punctuation
- purification
- qualification
- quantification
- quotation
- radiation
- radicalization
- ramification
- ratification
- ration
- rationalization
- reaffiliation
- reaffirmation
- realization
- reallocation
- reauthorization
- recalculation
- recantation
- recapitalization
- recertification
- recitation
- reclamation
- reclassification
- recommendation
- reconciliation
- reconfiguration
- reconfirmation
- reconsideration
- recreation
- recrimination
- rectification
- recuperation
- redecoration
- rededication
- reevaluation
- reexamination
- reflation
- reforestation
- reformation
- refrigeration
- refutation
- regeneration
- regimentation
- registration
- regulation
- rehabilitation
- rehydration
- reincarnation
- reincorporation
- reinterpretation
- reinvigoration
- reiteration
- rejuvenation
- relation
- relaxation
- relocation
- remediation
- remuneration
- renationalization
- renegotiation
- renomination
- renovation
- renunciation
- reorganization
- reparation
- repatriation
- replication
- representation
- repudiation
- reputation
- reregulation
- reservation
- resignation
- respiration
- restoration
- resuscitation
- retaliation
- retardation
- reunification
- revaluation
- revelation
- reverberation
- revitalization
- revocation
- rotation
- rumination
- russification
- salvation
- sanctification
- sanitation
- saponification
- sarmatian
- saturation
- securitization
- sedation
- sedimentation
- segmentation
- segregation
- self-congratulation
- self-determination
- sensation
- separation
- sequestration
- simplification
- simulation
- singularization
- situation
- socialization
- solicitation
- sophistication
- specialization
- specification
- speculation
- stabilization
- stagflation
- stagnation
- stalinization
- standardization
- starvation
- station
- sterilization
- stimulation
- stipulation
- strangulation
- subluxation
- subordination
- subsidization
- substantiation
- suburbanization
- suffocation
- summation
- superstation
- surrogation
- synchronization
- syndication
- tabloidization
- tabulation
- taxation
- telecommunication
- temptation
- termination
- titillation
- toleration
- transformation
- transillumination
- translation
- transplantation
- transportation
- trepidation
- triangulation
- tribulation
- ulceration
- undervaluation
- unification
- unionization
- urbanization
- usurpation
- utilization
- vacation
- vaccination
- vacillation
- validation
- valuation
- vaporization
- variation
- vegetation
- veneration
- ventilation
- verification
- vibration
- victimization
- vilification
- vindication
- violation
- visitation
- visualization
- vocation
- vulgarization
- westernization
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