Synonyms for Occupy (same or very similar meaning)
WordNet sense 1 (be on the mind of):
concern, interest, worry
WordNet sense 2 (be present in; be inside of):
inhabit
WordNet sense 3 (keep busy with):
busy
WordNet sense 4 (occupy the whole of):
fill
WordNet sense 5 (live (in a certain place)):
reside, reside, lodge in
WordNet sense 6 (require (time or space)):
take, use up
WordNet sense 7 (march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation):
invade
WordNet sense 8 (engage or engross wholly):
absorb, engage, engross
From the ODE community, based on WordNet
add/edit