preoccupation
Absorbing persistent thought
Preoccupation is the state of being mentally absorbed by something, often to the point of distraction: His preoccupation with work was affecting his marriage.
The word can also refer to the thing that absorbs attention: Her main preoccupation these days is the garden.
A preoccupation may be a persistent concern or obsession: an unhealthy preoccupation with death.
Persistent mental attachment
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
monomania · idée fixe · single-mindedness · addiction · fanaticism · intrusive thought · hobbyhorse · passion
Total absorption in something
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- immersionState of being submerged
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- captivationState of being fascinated
fascination · enthrallment · rapt attention · intense focus · wrapped up · lost in thought · entranced · spellbound
Persistent apprehensive distress
- concernTroubled interest in something
- worryTroubled mental state
- frettingAnxious rumination or surface wear
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
overthinking · brooding · apprehension · unease · angst · restlessness · agitation · dread
Preoccupation with oneself
- self-reflectionExamining one's own mind
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
navel-gazing · contemplation · meditation · inner focus · self-analysis · self-involvement · turning inward · reflection
Preoccupied inattention to surroundings
- daydreamingIdle mental wandering
- inattentionLack of focus
- mind-wanderingUnfocused, spontaneous thought
- woolgatheringAbsent-minded indulgence in fantasy
reverie · miles away · head in clouds · spacing out · zoning out · unfocused · scattered · lost in thought
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
infatuation · monomania · idée fixe · single-mindedness · addiction · fanaticism · intrusive thought · hobbyhorse · passion · zealotry
engrossment
Total absorption in something
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- immersionState of being submerged
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
captivation · fascination · enthrallment · rapt attention · intense focus · wrapped up · lost in thought · entranced · spellbound · riveted
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- concernTroubled interest in something
- worryTroubled mental state
- frettingAnxious rumination or surface wear
rumination · overthinking · brooding · apprehension · unease · angst · restlessness · agitation · dread · fretfulness
self-absorption
Preoccupation with oneself
- self-reflectionExamining one's own mind
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
self-examination · navel-gazing · contemplation · meditation · inner focus · self-analysis · self-involvement · turning inward · reflection · pondering
absent-mindedness
Preoccupied inattention to surroundings
- daydreamingIdle mental wandering
- inattentionLack of focus
- mind-wanderingUnfocused, spontaneous thought
woolgathering · reverie · miles away · head in clouds · spacing out · zoning out · unfocused · scattered · lost in thought · not present
- absent-mindednessabsent-minded, forgetfulness, distraction, spacing out, zoning out
- contemplationcontemplation, meditation, reflection, pondering, musing
- obsessionsobsession, fixation, monomania, mania, infatuation
- obsessionobsession, fixation, compulsion, monomania, mania
- annoyancesannoyance, annoyances, irritations, irritation, nuisance
- boredomboredom, ennui, tedium, monotony, dullness
preoccupationdisengagement
Withdrawal from involvement
distraction · clear-headedness · detachment · inattention · absent-mindedness
preoccupationindifference
Lack of interest
unconcern · apathy · disinterest · nonchalance · insouciance
preoccupationalertness
Active mental awareness
attentiveness · presence of mind · mindfulness · awareness · vigilance