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
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 preempt
His administration said last week that police had preempted a similar Hyde Park meetup.
—
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The states have a role to play, and that is the gold standard of that regulation, and we shouldn’t be preempted by federal regulation.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
On Friday, jurors preempted their pizza lunch break to ask Kuhl whether all of them should weigh in on damages, or only those who’d agreed on liability.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Republicans and Libertarians told the court that federal election law preempts Mississippi from counting ballots that arrive up to five days after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The states have a role to play, and that is the gold standard of that regulation, and we shouldn’t be preempted by federal regulation.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
On Friday, jurors preempted their pizza lunch break to ask Kuhl whether all of them should weigh in on damages, or only those who’d agreed on liability.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Republicans and Libertarians told the court that federal election law preempts Mississippi from counting ballots that arrive up to five days after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
-
According to the search warrant, investigators went through the home and reported seizing 13 blue capsule pills marked R3060.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Brendan Carr, the chairman of the FCC who is rarely shy on any media topic, seized on the issue of accessible sports rights in a post on X earlier this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s come just as the Edmonton Oilers have ripped off a season-best five straight victories to usurp the Ducks’ position atop the Pacific.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
One of the things that's gone really wrong in America is this gas station/convenience store/fast food restaurant that is usurping small town America.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Borzou Arjmand, an Iranian actor living in California, found out from news reports that his assets in Iran had been confiscated.—
Amir Hussein Radjy,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The sisters’ mother, Vesta Louis, told Politico this week that federal investigators raided both of their homes in simultaneous operations on March 23, confiscating their cellphones and other electronics.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mornings tend to revolve around Regatta Buffet, or, for something lighter and more grab-and-go, Café Madeleine or Bahama Bagel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Feel daring, attention-grabbing and unapologetically you.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As part of that rally, James Outman entered for Buxton off the bench and immediately stole a base, which manager Derek Shelton made a point to mention.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Police said suspects entered the building and stole multiple bottles of alcohol and money before fleeing.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The news comes after SpaceX and xAI—the company behind X and Grok—merged in February, a partnership which Musk claims could one day lead to data centres in Earth's orbit.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The younger daughter had arrived with foreknowledge of the role her older sister had already claimed.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pritchard dissected Milwaukee’s defense at all three levels during that flurry, converting two layups, two 3-pointers and one nine-foot fadeaway.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Time and again, the Venezuelan opposition has converted popular fury into political momentum, only to watch Chavismo regroup, survive, and consolidate.—
Boris Muñoz,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For a more exclusive experience, there’s also The Reserve, which offers a quieter, hotel-within-a-hotel experience that occupies the top floors of the East Tower and features a private VIP entrance, an expansive lounge, and upgraded amenities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That’s roughly double what the women who occupy the second and third spots on that list have made.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempt. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
