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
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Recent Examples of preempt
For example, in January Maryland Circuit Judge Steven Platt threw out a suit filed by Annapolis and Anne Arundel County against numerous companies, saying that federal law preempted state law claims against the energy companies.
—
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
There is also an ongoing push to preempt local control of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), even though CRAs have been one of the most effective tools for revitalization and job creation in cities like ours.
—Rob Long, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2025
The legal argument largely turns on the respective powers of federal and state governments and when the former can preempt the latter.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025
So, eligibility rules in college sports can be challenged on antitrust grounds and there’s no CBA that preempts those claims.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
There is also an ongoing push to preempt local control of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), even though CRAs have been one of the most effective tools for revitalization and job creation in cities like ours.
—Rob Long, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2025
The legal argument largely turns on the respective powers of federal and state governments and when the former can preempt the latter.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025
So, eligibility rules in college sports can be challenged on antitrust grounds and there’s no CBA that preempts those claims.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
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This time, the case moved forward alongside multiple simultaneous investigations and cases in other states, and in 2018, the federal government seized Backpage and it was taken down.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
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The White House, with Vice President JD Vance’s experience in tech, should seize this moment to build a national AI strategy that does not leave the workers behind.—
Lynn Forester de Rothschild,
Time,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Wing-backs James McClean and Ryan Barnett were first choice for much of the campaign before January arrival Ryan Longman eventually usurped Barnett down the right flank.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
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After years of gradually usurping many forms of legacy media, podcasts are set to get their flowers on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 May 2025
Verb
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In 2019, Ronaldinho had properties seized and his Brazilian and Spanish passports confiscated, among reports of unpaid taxes and fines.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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The cardinal had his passport confiscated after he was arrested in 2022 for allegedly failing to register the pro-democracy 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund properly.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Combs returns to the scene shortly thereafter and appears to grab at the phone.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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The Pineapple Express actress allegedly grabbed and struck van Ree's arm in an altercation at a Seattle airport.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Hodge was walked intentionally, then stole second, and Harvard-Westlake made the decision to put Lopez on first to load the bases.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Mac routinely stole scenes in the comedies of the '90s, such as Friday (1995) and The Player's Club (1998).—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
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The real mover and shaker of the year has been the teenage dream Mirra Andreeva who claimed the Dubai Tennis Championships and also Indian Wells by defeating Sabalenka.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Australia’s Anthony Albanese claimed a historic second term as prime minister on Saturday in a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives that was powered by voters' concerns about the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump.—
Kirsty Needham,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Last March, Jost and Davidson’s business partner Ron Castellano noted that their plans are still underway for a potentially $34 million project to convert the vessel into a floating entertainment complex complete with bars, restaurants and possibly a hotel.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
3 May 2025
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The sawmill the twins convert into their juke joint becomes a bloody trap from which there is no escape, much like the system they are born into and seek to transcend.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Additionally, a complaint filed against Radford on April 4 and obtained by PEOPLE alleges that the company continued to occupy its headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif.—
Natalia Senanayake,
People.com,
12 May 2025
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The Filipino male vocal troupe is the only non-solo musical act to occupy more than one position.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempt. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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