preoccupy

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pre·oc·cu·py / prēˈäkyəˌpī/ • v. (-pies, -pied) [tr.] (of a matter or subject) dominate or engross the mind of (someone) to the exclusion of other thoughts: his mother was preoccupied with paying the bills | [as adj.] (preoccupied) she seemed a bit preoccupied.