preoccupy
1 synonym for preoccupy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To take someone's attention away from other things.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Etymology
Formed from pre- and occupy, modelled on Middle French preoccuper and, behind that, its source Latin praeoccupo, praeoccupare. It is a doublet of preoccupate, now obsolete.
Full origin of preoccupy →