as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the thoughtless teenagers had preempted front-row seats that were reserved for the guests of honor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preempt
The Justice wrote in a 7-2 opinion written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act expressly preempts state law and Monsanto's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of glyphosate.
—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
25 June 2026
The complaint argues that the Kansas law is preempted by federal statute, citing two 1996 laws that limit what public benefits undocumented immigrants can receive.
—
Matthew Kelly
updated June 25,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
Those claims are now preempted by federal law.
—
Diana Novak Jones,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
The Supreme Court's 7-2 ruling on Roundup preempts state failure-to-warn lawsuits, shifting accountability from courts to the market.
—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
25 June 2026
The complaint argues that the Kansas law is preempted by federal statute, citing two 1996 laws that limit what public benefits undocumented immigrants can receive.
—
Matthew Kelly
updated June 25,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
Those claims are now preempted by federal law.
—
Diana Novak Jones,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
The Supreme Court's 7-2 ruling on Roundup preempts state failure-to-warn lawsuits, shifting accountability from courts to the market.
—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
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The party has focused on driving down consumer costs, seizing on what polling shows is deep dissatisfaction about the economy and worries about affordability.
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Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
Verb
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Taylor's episode usurped the Not Gonna Lie host's prior appearances, and Kylie had no issues passing the baton.
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However, the German has — 12 years after claiming the record from the Brazilian Ronaldo with his 16th World Cup goal — been usurped by Messi and, like so many before him, will have to settle for playing second fiddle to the 38-year-old Argentinian.
Verb
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In Dallas, the FBI recently announced agents confiscated four drones that allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions over AT&T Stadium and the city's FIFA Fan Festival.
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Amid anecdotal reports that airport security services have been confiscating bottles of ranch dressing that sports tourists have tried to smuggle out of the country, Kraft Heinz came up with a TSA-friendly size of ranch dressing.
Verb
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Video of the incident showed the professor grabbing and twisting the arm of the pro-Palestinian student.
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As police tried to handcuff Sever, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said Sever swung at troopers and forcefully grabbed at a trooper's duty weapon, which was secured in a holster.
Verb
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Zach Neto walked to begin the inning but got picked off at first base attempting to steal second.
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Yamal is most likely your favorite player’s favorite player to watch, to steal a somewhat corny adage.
Verb
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Plaintiffs claimed that Disney’s carriage agreements required streaming platforms to include ESPN in base channel packages, limiting the ability of competitors to offer cheaper bundles.
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My dear friend has been in communication with someone online (and by phone) who claims to be a famous celebrity.
Verb
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There are nods to the environmental devastation wrought by the cattle industry that dominated Southern California in the first half of the 19th century, as well as the Faustian bargain struck by Indigenous people who converted to Catholicism.
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Mark Ford Rosemary Tonks emulated French Symbolist poets before converting to Christianity and renouncing all her own works.
Verb
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There is a wide open space for Democrats to occupy that territory.
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Beneath those practical debates, however, American lawyers have gradually come to understand themselves as occupying two roles simultaneously, as Robert Gordon described.
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempt. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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