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
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
Bayer contends that federal pesticide laws preempt states from adopting additional labeling for products and thus prohibit failure-to-warn lawsuits brought under state laws.
—David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 17 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.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 17 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
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Bayer contends that federal pesticide laws preempt states from adopting additional labeling for products and thus prohibit failure-to-warn lawsuits brought under state laws.
—David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 17 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.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 17 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
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
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In the nineteenth century, travel to remote frontiers beyond the reach of telegraph had insulated Britain’s men on the spot from London’s authority, conceding them the freedom to seize new territory.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
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The union representing patrol officers quickly seized on the incident as evidence that respect for officers has declined under the new mayor.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Meridian Empire sets out to usurp wealthy colonies and crush the pirate republic, Cat is faced with an ultimatum – turn in the fearsome Valerian Kane, the only man she’s ever loved and the biggest threat to the Empire, or die.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
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And by the time American Jack Hughes scored the overtime winner to seal Team USA’s 2-1 win and first men’s hockey gold since the Miracle on Ice in 1980, any morning grumblings were usurped by a surge of coast-to-coast jubilation.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Contrary to what many people believe, these items aren't actually confiscated.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
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The monitors also tried to confiscate four power banks and chargers.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Neely tried to grab Belt-Stubblefield by the neck and take him to the ground, but the officer is the one who fell, according to the notice of claim.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
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Melvin Trotter walked in and began rifling through the cash register, grabbing about $100 and some food stamps.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last Tuesday, thieves stole more than $80,000 of Pokémon cards from Do-We Collectibles in Anaheim — the second time the store has been targeted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Two days later, authorities found the van, a 1978 Chevy stolen from Dayton, Ohio, abandoned at a truck stop in Franklin, Tenn.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then her schoolmates were right in tune in the pool to claim their first championship.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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Milford captured its second straight boys championship and fourth in the past five seasons, while Putnam claimed its first state title in program history, sealing the upset of two‑time defending champion Agawam with a dramatic pinfall in the final match of the day.—
Brian Fabry,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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White checked all of those boxes and cemented himself as an obvious choice with a network of current donors, high-ranking business partners in Charlotte, as well as potential donors that Gaber hopes to convert.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Social media converted it into shareable outrage.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The backstory Patio Elba occupies a historic building in the heart of Santurce.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
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Their tasting room occupies a former 1920s schoolhouse with bocce courts outside.—
Audrey T. Williams,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempt. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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