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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preempt
In the aftermath of Appomattox, ex-Confederates moved quickly, using propaganda, fraud, and terrorism, to preempt Black freedom and impose a system akin to slavery.
—
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Duffy opened the press conference by calling President Donald Trump and placing him on speakerphone — only for Trump to preempt the announcement by unveiling the plan.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
However, Brailsford wrote in court documents that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claim that federal law preempts Idaho’s state law on immigration enforcement.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2025
In both cases, the central legal issue is preemption, meaning whether Congress has preempted states from using state laws–including sports betting ones–to regulate a business or activity.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Duffy opened the press conference by calling President Donald Trump and placing him on speakerphone — only for Trump to preempt the announcement by unveiling the plan.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
However, Brailsford wrote in court documents that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claim that federal law preempts Idaho’s state law on immigration enforcement.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2025
In both cases, the central legal issue is preemption, meaning whether Congress has preempted states from using state laws–including sports betting ones–to regulate a business or activity.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
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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
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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
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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But white farmers are being brutally killed, and their land is being confiscated in South Africa.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
13 May 2025
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Our families could be dishonored in public, our personal memories confiscated for storage inside the Criminal Archives.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
13 May 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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Rutgers teammates Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey might end up as No. 2 and No. 3 overall, but the Hornets will be able to grab one if not.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Trailing in the second inning, Alexis Ramirez reached base on a hit up the middle, then stole second.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2025
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Mike gets into a brawl when Nathan (Dickinson, uncredited), a fellow addict also living rough, steals his wallet and blows all his cash.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Verb
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But McLaughlin claimed that a Dallas Police detective inadvertently attached the wrong photo to the entry.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Wars claim the lives of innocent children as well as warriors.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Apple and Google have also made efforts to remove AI services that convert clothed images into manipulated nude ones from their app stores and search results.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
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Scheffler has now successfully converted his first three 54-hole leads or co-leads in majors, something done only nine other times in the modern era.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
19 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 24 May. 2025.
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