preoccupies
Dominates the mind
Preoccupies means to dominate someone's thoughts or attention, often to the exclusion of other concerns.
What preoccupies you is what you can't stop thinking about: The question of what to do next preoccupied her for days.
A preoccupied person seems distracted or absorbed, mentally elsewhere.
Preoccupies to excess
- hauntsVisits often, or torments
- plaguesMass outbreaks of disease
- troublesDistressing difficulties
- nagsPesters without ceasing
gnaws · disturbs · unsettles · torments · besets · dogs · vexes · worries
Wholly occupies attention
- captivatesHolds rapt attention
- consumesTakes in completely
- occupiesFills or holds space
- immersesPlunges into liquid
engulfs · monopolizes · grips · rivets · enthralls · fascinates · entrances · spellbinds
Dominates by comparison
- controlsOperates or regulates
- governsExercises political authority
- commandsAuthoritative orders given
- pervadesSpreads completely through
looms · overwhelms · overrides · eclipses · subordinates · crowds out · takes over · hangs over
Reflects on deeply
- mullsReflects at length
- ruminatesThinks deeply, repeatedly
- reflects onThinks deeply about
- thinks aboutMentally examines something
considers · deliberates · cogitates · turns over · chews on · overthinks
obsesses
Preoccupies to excess
nags · gnaws · disturbs · unsettles · torments · besets · dogs · vexes · worries · agitates
engrosses
Wholly occupies attention
- captivatesHolds rapt attention
- consumesTakes in completely
- occupiesFills or holds space
immerses · engulfs · monopolizes · grips · rivets · enthralls · fascinates · entrances · spellbinds · mesmerizes
overshadows
Dominates by comparison
pervades · looms · overwhelms · overrides · eclipses · subordinates · crowds out · takes over · hangs over · fills
ponders
Reflects on deeply
- mullsReflects at length
- ruminatesThinks deeply, repeatedly
- reflects onThinks deeply about
thinks about · considers · deliberates · cogitates · turns over · chews on · overthinks