Thesaurus results for PRE EMPTING

preempting

verb

present participle of preempt

as in seizing

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

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of preempting Lately, state lawmakers have also handed down laws preempting local ordinances on workplace safety, cruise ships, climate goals, fertilizer, naming of airports and painting sidewalks. — Nico Rivero, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 In response, the CFTC has said that the Commodity Exchange Act gives it sole power over swaps and futures contracts, preempting state laws. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 But there are several downsides for players in preempting an MLB lockout by going on strike. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026 Congress this week released a bipartisan framework that would establish the first broad federal approach to AI regulation while temporarily preempting many state laws. — ABC News, 6 June 2026 With the circumlunar flight of Artemis II, and the prospect of landing astronauts on the lunar surface within a few years, humanity is preempting an era where the imprint of visiting the Moon would be erased from living memory. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026 Advocates want federal lawmakers to pass online safety laws around social media and AI tools without preempting states’ ability to regulate. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026 But by preempting state standards entirely, Congress would effectively be making that decision itself. — John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026 Florida lawmakers have passed many bills preempting local laws in recent years but a ban on local governments banning of single-use plastic straws. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempting

Verb

Grapevine finds a win against Eagle Mountain Grapevine football moved to 1-1 in District 3-5A Division II, seizing a 34-14 victory over Fort Worth Eagle Mountain on Friday.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2026
With Pharrell Williams steering the production ship, the Athens, Georgia native wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to create his most cohesive, genre-bending body of work to date.

— Mikey Fresh, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of seizing

Verb

Sacramento County Health Inspectors gave a red placard to a local pizzeria after observing an employee, with gloves on, grabbing a napkin and killing a cockroach then continuing to cook.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Aire Libre is still around for those who just can’t bear the thought of not grabbing a beer by the pool.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

Murray said that in recent spending negotiations, Democrats fought to include language to prevent the administration from usurping Congress’ power on spending decisions, but Republicans have declined to go along.

— Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
The 6-foot-6, 308-pounder was at Wisconsin from 2020-24 before finishing at Illinois last season and entering the 49ers’ defensive-line rotation this season, perhaps even usurping Alfred Collins in the starting lineup next to Osa Odighizuwa.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of usurping

Verb

The European Central Bank and Brussels also fear that confiscating Russia’s reserves would damage the euro’s standing and Belgium’s reputation as a financial safe haven.

— Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Two decades later, the IDF would storm Palestinian community centers, confiscating flags and shutting down celebrations.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of confiscating

Verb

This results in a snowball fight, some wedding crashing, and Lister stealing Hitler's bag.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
The only time the school has won anything in 30 years comes when scumbag Jim Harbaugh goes out and magically comes up with some sign-stealing special agent who then sends the program on a massive string of success.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of stealing

Verb

The trade is poised to benefit farmers, particularly women, in developing economies such as India by converting marginal and underutilized land into income-generating assets.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
These meticulous services have a reputation for yielding flawless-looking nails that last for weeks, converting people all over the globe.

— Lucy Abbersteen, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of converting

Verb

But Wolfson once more goes the less dangerous route, appropriating a 1984 photograph of two tulips in a black void instead of something more explicit.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Sawyer was among five city council members who voted no on appropriating funds for the purchase.

— Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of appropriating

Browse Nearby Words

preempted

preempting

preemption

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Preempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempting. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of preempting

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

syncretic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes