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
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Recent Examples of preempting
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
The state passed a law last year preempting local governments from enacting or enforcing rules against presidential libraries.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
13 May 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
The council instructed planners to release acreage currently earmarked for annexation back to Ada County, preempting future requests to incorporate the land into Boise for development.
—
Mark Dee
january 27,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
In addition to the GAIN AI Act, lawmakers have also been divided over a push to include a provision preempting state AI laws in the NDAA.
—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
4 Dec. 2025
ABC News,
6 June 2026
The state passed a law last year preempting local governments from enacting or enforcing rules against presidential libraries.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
13 May 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
The council instructed planners to release acreage currently earmarked for annexation back to Ada County, preempting future requests to incorporate the land into Boise for development.
—
Mark Dee
january 27,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
In addition to the GAIN AI Act, lawmakers have also been divided over a push to include a provision preempting state AI laws in the NDAA.
—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempting
Verb
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Last month, police raided the teen’s home on Creekside Drive, seizing $1,300 in cash and a box containing packages of edible cannabis products, which were similar to what the girl allegedly ingested, authorities said.
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These stories emphasize that skill, belief, and groundwork are crucial for seizing opportunities, proving that true breakthroughs are built on long-term preparation.
Verb
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The video then shows the woman throwing Martinez to the ground, grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly attacking her as bystanders try to step in and help.
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According to Sangrio, the video appears to show Matthew Cox, O'Toole's then-attendant, striking the 60-year-old with a broom, punching him and grabbing him by the neck.
Verb
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The opposition’s narrative that Hollywood is usurping home rule is entirely backward.
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But even with the UFC’s challenges, no rival promotion has come close to usurping the sport’s power dynamic.
Verb
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As Israeli authorities begin confiscating their land, personal tensions collide with political pressure.
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In New York state social studies classes, communism and socialism are presented as two economic systems that make things more equal and fair, with no historical references to the atrocities committed by socialist and communist regimes confiscating property.
Verb
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Next, Texas fought Mexico for its independence, and for a decade beginning in 1836 the Republic of Texas flew its own Lone Star flag in the Paso del Norte, claiming El Paso and part of southern New Mexico.
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Moscow has long portrayed UPA fighters as murderers and Nazi collaborators, and has accused Zelenskyy of being an heir to this legacy, falsely claiming that his government is overrun by Nazis as a pretext for its full-scale invasion.
Verb
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As the berries begin to ripen, cover the pots with netting to keep birds and other animals from stealing your harvest.
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The technology’s ability to reduce theft and fraud is especially intriguing, given the crimes are not generally a person or group simply stealing freight.
Verb
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Japan's Daizen Maeda broke through in the 59th minute, converting feeds from teammates Ayase Ueda and Ritsu Doan.
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Its focus is on converting and owning the datasets, Manish Agarwal, co-founder of Humyn Labs, told CNBC.
Verb
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In 2021, the Minnetonka shoe company apologized for culturally appropriating Native American culture, and committed to supporting the community.
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At first glance, the pairing might seem like an unconventional one, even though both artists are well known for appropriating others’ images.
Cite this Entry
“Preempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempting. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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