preoccupy

Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

verb

1. engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively (Freq. 1)
- His work preoccupies him
- The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else
• Derivationally related forms:
preoccupation, preoccupancy
• Hypernyms:
control, command
• Hyponyms:
haunt, obsess, ghost, prepossess
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s somebody
2. occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance
- the army preoccupied the hills
• Derivationally related forms:
preoccupation
• Hypernyms:
assume, usurp, seize, take over, arrogate
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something