busies

Makes oneself active

Busies is the third-person singular form of busy used as a verb.

To busy oneself is to occupy one's time with activity: She busies herself with gardening while waiting for news.

The verb form appears almost exclusively in the reflexive—people busy themselves rather than busying others.

occupies

preoccupies

Mentally absorbs completely

absorbsTakes in fully
engrossesWholly occupies attention
immersesPlunges into liquid

consumes · distracts · monopolizes · engages · fills · takes up · captures · commands · enthralls · involves

works

toils

Works with great effort

laborsStrenuous physical efforts
worksFunctions or labors
grindsReduces by friction

plugs away · slaves · drudges · plods · strives · exerts · endeavors · perseveres · industrious · diligent

multitasks

juggles

Tosses objects cyclically

balancesKeeps from toppling
coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
managesDirects or copes

handles · organizes · schedules · prioritizes · delegates · switches · toggles · rotates · alternates · spreads thin

hustles

scrambles

Mixes into disorder

rushesMoves very quickly
scurriesMoves fast, short-stepped
hurriesMoves with urgency

hastens · bustles · dashes · races · scrambling · flurries · charges · sprints · tears · bolts

Opposites

activity level

busiesidles

Passes time uselessly

rests · relaxes · lounges · lazes · stills

constraint/freedom

busiesfrees

Removes from captivity

releases · liberates · unburdens · relieves · excuses

Phrases

mind your own businessStop meddling in others' affairs
out of businessCeased commercial operations
business cardPrinted contact information slip
small businessModest independent commercial venture
in businessCommercially active now
business hoursScheduled time for commerce

Family

business, businessman, businesslike, busiest, businesses, businesswoman, businessperson, busier, busied

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G