Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb preoccupy

2 senses of preoccupy

Sense 1
preoccupy -- (engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively; "His work preoccupies him"; "The matter preoccupies her completely--she cannot think of anything else")
       => control, command -- (exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the budget"; "Command the military forces")

Sense 2
preoccupy -- (occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance; "the army preoccupied the hills")
       => assume, usurp, seize, take over, arrogate -- (seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession; "He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne after her husband died")