preoccupied

Mind somewhere else

Preoccupied describes a mind already occupied—absorbed in thought or worry to the point of distraction.

Someone preoccupied with work troubles may not hear what you're saying.

She seemed preoccupied and barely touched her food.

The word suggests mental unavailability rather than mere busyness.

absorbed

engrossed

Wholly absorbed in something

fascinated · riveted · mesmerized · spellbound · transfixed · rapt · intent · lost · wrapped · gripped

thoughtful

contemplative

Inclined to deep thought

introspective · brooding · ruminative · musing · pondering · philosophical · cogitative · deliberative · wistful · soul-searching

distracted

absentminded

Inattentive to immediate surroundings

forgetful · daydreaming · oblivious · heedless · unmindful · spacey · vague · detached · distant · elsewhere

worried

anxious

Troubled by uncertainty

nervous · apprehensive · fretful · distressed · stressed · tense · edgy · agitated · perturbed · restless

busy

engaged

Pledged to marry

consumed · committed · scheduled · overloaded · pressed · stretched · unavailable · booked · working · employed

Categories
Opposites
mental attention/presence

preoccupiedattentive

Paying close notice

present · alert · focused · mindful · engaged

mental clarity/freedom

preoccupiedcarefree

Free from anxiety

untroubled · unconcerned · clearheaded · unburdened · unworried

mental clarity

preoccupiedclearheaded

Mentally focused and rational

untroubled · unburdened · lucid · unconfused · collected

Family

preoccupies

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G