Preoccupation: meaning, definitions and examples

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preoccupation

 

[ priːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mental state

A preoccupation is a thought or activity that you give all your attention to.

Synonyms

concern, fixation, obsession, obsessiveness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preoccupation

Used when someone is mainly focused or thinking about something specific, often to the exclusion of other things. It is neutral in tone.

  • Her preoccupation with work made her forget her friend's birthday
obsession

Used when someone has an overwhelming focus on something to the point where it disrupts normal life. It carries a strong negative connotation.

  • His obsession with social media affected his work performance
fixation

Used when someone has an excessive and unhealthy focus on something. It often implies a disturbance in balance. It has a slightly negative tone.

  • Her fixation on cleanliness makes it difficult to relax at home
concern

Used when someone is worried or anxious about something. It is important enough to be worth attention.

  • His main concern is the well-being of his family
obsessiveness

Used to describe a state of being excessively preoccupied or fixated on something, often in a manner that is difficult to control. This term usually has a negative connotation.

  • Her obsessiveness about her diet left little room for enjoyment

Examples of usage

  • Her preoccupation with weight began in her teens.
  • His preoccupation with work often caused him to neglect his family.
  • The constant preoccupation with money was affecting her mental health.
Context #2 | Noun

occupation

Preoccupation can also refer to a job or activity that keeps someone very busy.

Synonyms

commitment, engagement, occupation, task.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preoccupation

Used when someone is so absorbed in something that it distracts them from other activities or thoughts. It carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation.

  • His preoccupation with work made him miss his daughter's school play
occupation

Usually refers to a person's job or profession. It has a neutral connotation.

  • His occupation as a doctor keeps him very busy
engagement

Often used to describe a formal agreement to get married or an arrangement to do something. It generally has a positive or neutral connotation.

  • They announced their engagement at the family dinner
task

Used to describe a specific piece of work that needs to be done. It carries a neutral connotation.

  • She completed the task ahead of the deadline
commitment

Refers to a strong dedication or obligation to a cause, relationship, or activity. This term has a positive connotation.

  • Her commitment to the charity is truly inspiring

Examples of usage

  • His preoccupation as a chef left him with little time for socializing.
  • The preoccupation with the project consumed all her energy.
  • The preoccupation with deadlines made the team work overtime.
Context #3 | Noun

trouble

Preoccupation can also mean a state of being engrossed in something that causes worry or trouble.

Synonyms

anxiety, concern, trouble, worry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preoccupation

Use this word when someone is so absorbed in thought about something that it distracts them from other things.

  • Her preoccupation with the project made her miss the meeting
concern

Choose this word when the situation involves a sense of care or responsibility for something or someone, often with a hint of worry.

  • Her main concern was the safety of her children
anxiety

This word fits when someone feels a strong sense of worry or dread, often about something specific or general in the future.

  • He felt a surge of anxiety before his job interview
worry

Use this word for situations where someone is mentally disturbed by potential problems or uncertainties.

  • She tends to worry about her health a lot
trouble

This word is suitable for situations where someone faces difficulties or problems. It has a slightly negative connotation.

  • He's in trouble for missing the deadline

Examples of usage

  • Her preoccupation with the upcoming exam made her anxious.
  • The preoccupation with health issues kept him awake at night.
  • The constant preoccupation with the future prevented her from enjoying the present.

Translations

Translations of the word "preoccupation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 preocupação

🇮🇳 चिंता

🇩🇪 Besorgnis

🇮🇩 kekhawatiran

🇺🇦 занепокоєння

🇵🇱 zmartwienie

🇯🇵 心配

🇫🇷 préoccupation

🇪🇸 preocupación

🇹🇷 endişe

🇰🇷 걱정

🇸🇦 قلق

🇨🇿 obava

🇸🇰 obava

🇨🇳 担心

🇸🇮 zaskrbljenost

🇮🇸 áhyggjur

🇰🇿 алаңдау

🇬🇪 შფოთვა

🇦🇿 narahatlıq

🇲🇽 preocupación

Etymology

The word 'preoccupation' has its origins in the late 16th century, from the French word 'préoccupation'. It combines the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' or 'in advance' with 'occupation', which originally referred to 'being seized by an idea or thought'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the idea of being absorbed or deeply engaged in a particular activity or thought. The concept of preoccupation has been a common theme in psychology and philosophy, exploring the nature of human attention and focus.

See also: underoccupation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,339, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.