OCCUPY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

occupy

verb

ˈä-kyə-ˌpī

Definition of occupy

as in to interest

to hold the attention of a puzzle will occupy that child for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of occupy Each company may occupy zones up to 1 square mile during its first three months of operation. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The crown princess had managed to take the children far from occupied Europe in part to prevent Harald from becoming a tool of Nazi propaganda. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 In June, Google renewed its lease in the Hudson Square building, where the tech giant occupies more than 400,000 square feet of office space. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Newcomer Commissioner Rolando Escalona won the District 3 seat Carollo and his younger brother had occupied since 2009. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occupy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for occupy

Verb

If those sorts of things interest you, the paper will be great.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
Businesses too small to interest a Wall Street desk can transfer a specific risk to someone willing to price it.

— Brian Quintenz, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of interest

Verb

Her body was found Monday morning in the waters near Hagley Landing, a boat ramp leading to the Waccamaw River in the small town of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, following an extensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
The voyage involved a 57,038-DWT bulk carrier, giving the system a test under real commercial operating conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of involve

Verb

When some of his friends became smokejumpers, he was intrigued.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Yet some European philosophers were intrigued by the monism of Vedanta philosophy, whereas Evangelical Christians saw the same monism as a foundation for proselytizing Christian monotheism.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of intrigue

Verb

Everything from mountain biking and kayaking, hiking and horseback riding will immerse travelers among the vivid trees.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Serving in another field or capacity, pursuing a hobby or getting immersed in a new discipline or art, especially for those in creative spaces, can impart unique and valuable perspectives that inform one’s whole approach to work.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of immerse

Verb

Ruston anticipates Loco Coyote to be open Wednesday through Sundays, so locals can enjoy a few weekdays before the tourist crowd busies the restaurant during the weekends.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Gourmands have plenty to visit around the island, from harvesters of fleur de sel, to producers of wine and the local pineau spirit, to busy oyster farms.

— Caitlin Gunther, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026

Definition of busy

Verb

In a California town called Anzar in the late-19th century, Paulette is living with a local magnate’s eccentric son who’s fascinated by the tramps gathering outside his manor.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Here are four more scammers who fascinated people on the internet – plus one who people thought was a scammer but turned out not to be.

— Owen Carry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of fascinate

Verb

The case has attracted attention because Wisconsin courts have not fully resolved whether the public may walk along Great Lakes beaches below the ordinary high-water mark.

— Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Maxwel Cornet, whose last competitive outing for West Ham was against Crystal Palace in April 2024, failed to attract interest.

— Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of attract

Verb

Green is currently engaged to Dancing With the Stars pro Sharna Burgess, and was previously married to Megan Fox.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Land facing uphill and one spine engages; land facing downhill and the other does the job without the need for a pilot to calculate the perfect approach angle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of engage

Browse Nearby Words

occupies

occupy

occupying

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“Occupy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occupy. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of occupy

verb

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