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Preoccupied vs Disturb - What's the difference?

preoccupied | disturb |

As verbs the difference between preoccupied and disturb

is that preoccupied is (preoccupy) while disturb is to confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.

As an adjective preoccupied

is concerned with something else; distracted; giving one's attention elsewhere.

As a noun disturb is

(obsolete) disturbance.

preoccupied

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Concerned with something else; distracted; giving one's attention elsewhere.
    • I was preoccupied with a deadline at work, and I forgot his birthday.

    Verb

    (head)
  • (preoccupy)

    • disturb

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.
    • The noisy ventilation disturbed me during the exam.
    The performance was disturbed twice by a ringing mobile phone.
    A school of fish disturbed the water.
  • to divert, redirect, or alter by disturbing.
    • A mudslide disturbed the course of the river.
    The trauma disturbed his mind.
  • * Milton
    • disturb his inmost counsels from their destined aim
  • to have a negative emotional impact; to cause emotional distress or confusion.
    • A disturbing film that tries to explore the mind of a serial killer.
    His behaviour is very disturbing .

    Derived terms

    * disturbance

    Noun

  • (obsolete) disturbance
    • (Milton)