as in seizes
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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Recent Examples of preempts
This approach also preempts activist claims of stagnation, proving that the company is actively charting its own course.
—
Sam Wolf, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The bill also preempts to the Legislature the naming of airports to Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County and Jacksonville International Airport.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The central question in Watson will be whether the federal law, which sets Election Day as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, preempts state laws that allow ballots received after Election Day to be counted.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
The law preempts state litigation.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2026
Texas passed a more restrained AI governance law that limits liability to intentional discrimination and preempts local regulation.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Office of Planning director Brian Davis noted that state law preempts local governments from imposing zoning restrictions on where federally licensed firearms dealers can do business.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Jan. 2026
And the Federal Trade Commission would be tasked with issuing a policy statement on how a law prohibiting unfair and deceptive practices applies to AI models and preempts state laws.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 20 Nov. 2025
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preempts states from enacting laws that conflict with ERISA on regulated benefit plans.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Sam Wolf, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
The bill also preempts to the Legislature the naming of airports to Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County and Jacksonville International Airport.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The central question in Watson will be whether the federal law, which sets Election Day as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, preempts state laws that allow ballots received after Election Day to be counted.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
The law preempts state litigation.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2026
Texas passed a more restrained AI governance law that limits liability to intentional discrimination and preempts local regulation.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Office of Planning director Brian Davis noted that state law preempts local governments from imposing zoning restrictions on where federally licensed firearms dealers can do business.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Jan. 2026
And the Federal Trade Commission would be tasked with issuing a policy statement on how a law prohibiting unfair and deceptive practices applies to AI models and preempts state laws.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 20 Nov. 2025
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preempts states from enacting laws that conflict with ERISA on regulated benefit plans.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempts
Verb
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Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Leavitt turns the tables on media outrage as FBI seizes Fulton election documents.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After witnessing Sinner miss 16 break points against the same opponent on Friday, Alcaraz would have been forgiven for worrying that something similar might happen to him — especially against arguably tennis’s greatest escape artist, at least until the Spaniard usurps him.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Jokic usurps Nurkic Jusuf Nurkic became Jokic’s first backup center in unceremonious fashion, getting benched by Michael Malone 25 games into his third season.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The children designated as Palestinians, meanwhile, have their drawings torn up and are relegated to small corners of the classroom while the teacher confiscates their candy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Nov. 2025
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Milwaukee Marshall High School confiscates a student’s phone until the end of the day for a first offense, requires a parent pickup after a second offense and issues an automatic suspension for repeat violations.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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La Dolce Vita and the Minerva, which occupies the erstwhile palazzo of 17th-century aristocrats, debuted last April.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas occupies the fifth spot.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The company claims that the birds flew preset routes and returned to base on command, marking an unusual step toward animal-machine hybrids that blur the line between biology and robotics.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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However, in December, the company issued a statement about Oklahoma homeowners claims that attested to close coordination with the insurance department.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shop these standout steals and more below.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
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Though the 24-year-old star has only recently been thrust into the mainstream spotlight, Williams has played a wide variety of roles, from a depressed young man seeking approval from a lost friend to a humanoid chatbot who steals a woman from her husband.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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The state appropriates funds for the voucher program at the beginning of the fiscal year and then seeks federal reimbursement.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempts. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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