as in seized
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
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Recent Examples of preempted
However, Judge Rodriguez ruled that their state claims are preempted by federal copyright law and that Cardi’s shows in Texas weren’t different enough from her shows in other states to give Fraustro and Aguilar jurisdiction over her in the Lone Star State.
—
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
His administration said last week that police had preempted a similar Hyde Park meetup.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The states have a role to play, and that is the gold standard of that regulation, and we shouldn’t be preempted by federal regulation.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
On Friday, jurors preempted their pizza lunch break to ask Kuhl whether all of them should weigh in on damages, or only those who’d agreed on liability.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The ordinance in Fishers, which has been preempted by state lawmakers, currently limits the number of rental homes to 10% per subdivision.
—Jake Allen, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Counties didn’t get routine hearings before the oil and gas commission and Colorado courts ruled that state laws preempted local ordinances.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
One of the best defenses in civil litigation is that the plaintiff has pleaded laws that are preempted by other laws.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
The states continue to have the power to regulate greenhouse gases, not from motor vehicles, that's preempted, but in stationary sources, lots of other things, states still have the power, and many states are using that power to regulate their emissions and to encourage more renewable energy.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
His administration said last week that police had preempted a similar Hyde Park meetup.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The states have a role to play, and that is the gold standard of that regulation, and we shouldn’t be preempted by federal regulation.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
On Friday, jurors preempted their pizza lunch break to ask Kuhl whether all of them should weigh in on damages, or only those who’d agreed on liability.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The ordinance in Fishers, which has been preempted by state lawmakers, currently limits the number of rental homes to 10% per subdivision.
—Jake Allen, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Counties didn’t get routine hearings before the oil and gas commission and Colorado courts ruled that state laws preempted local ordinances.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
One of the best defenses in civil litigation is that the plaintiff has pleaded laws that are preempted by other laws.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
The states continue to have the power to regulate greenhouse gases, not from motor vehicles, that's preempted, but in stationary sources, lots of other things, states still have the power, and many states are using that power to regulate their emissions and to encourage more renewable energy.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempted
Verb
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Police said that officers seized a quantity of marijuana and a gun that was later found to have been stolen.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Gangs have since seized control of much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, leading then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to request international military support in 2022.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In his latest motion, Kilpatrick claimed that prosecutors wanted to pull funds from the account and asked him to speak to his wife about it.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Pekau denied the allegation and claimed Henry was fabricating information.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Upon arrival in Russia, passports are immediately confiscated and retained by North Korean security officials, according to the report.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
In January, the Colombian Navy seized over two tons of cocaine from a speedboat in the South Pacific Ocean, and in November, the nation announced its largest cocaine bust in a decade, with 14 tons confiscated at its main Pacific port.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Vodka had overtaken gin in popularity by 1967, but by 2000 had fully usurped it, like Claudius to King Hamlet—occupied its position, married its wife, and taken control of its lands.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2026
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In other words, the apparatus that became the modern movie camera, up until digital technology usurped the role that film cameras played in capturing the first 100 years of filmmaking.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even the sixth-generation ryokans that have occupied this neighborhood for centuries don’t have this bird’s eye view.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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If slightly adult-leaning movies once occupied the center of the multiplex, that territory now belongs to the PG movie.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Walmart grabbed 23% of the market share last year, the same as in 2024.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And even those who do own their own home aren’t immune—taxes, energy bills, and grocery prices have all surged, quietly eroding the financial cushion many assumed would last decades.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Johan assumed Zack would be going to prison for a long time.—
Rich Schapiro,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The delay and uncertainty mean Duryea and hundreds of small towns are still waiting on the federal government to disburse money that Congress already appropriated, says Andrew Rumbach, who studies disaster policy at the Urban Institute think tank.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
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Attorneys for the federal government were only able to file a motion to reopen the case once Congress appropriated Justice Department funds.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempted. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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