transitive verb. To occupy completely the mind or attention of; engross. synonym: engross.

To occupy before others; take possession of or appropriate for use in advance of others.

To fill beforehand; cause to be occupied previously.

To occupy or engage the attention of beforehand; engross in advance of others; prepossess; preëngage.

transitive verb. To take possession of before another.

transitive verb. To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.

verb. To distract; to occupy or draw attention elsewhere.

verb. engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively

verb. occupy or take possession of beforehand or before another or appropriate for use in advance

"The exhibition explores an artist who was strikingly modern in character, confronting subjects and themes – the city, sexuality, manners, social integration, crime, political corruption, charity and patriotism – that continue to preoccupy us today."

arrogate  assume  seize  takeover  usurp  

occupy  

absorb  absorb the attention  adopt  appropriate  arrest  

preoccupied  

preoccupied  preoccupies  preoccupying