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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preempt
The lawsuit contends that federal requirements preempt California and Washington laws that have prevented inquiring about the immigration status of people seeking commercial driver’s licenses.
—
Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Even when Jimmy Kimmel Live returned to air, some affiliate networks continued to preempt the show for a few days.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
Many states exert tight influence over cities, however, even passing legislation in recent years that preempt cities from adopting their own policies on issues like immigration, gay rights and the environment.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Recognizing this dynamic can prepare researchers to preempt potential issues and manage unintended harm in a community that is already struggling to rebuild social trust.
—Christopher P. Davey, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Even when Jimmy Kimmel Live returned to air, some affiliate networks continued to preempt the show for a few days.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
Many states exert tight influence over cities, however, even passing legislation in recent years that preempt cities from adopting their own policies on issues like immigration, gay rights and the environment.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Recognizing this dynamic can prepare researchers to preempt potential issues and manage unintended harm in a community that is already struggling to rebuild social trust.
—Christopher P. Davey, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
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What’s more, after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechs who had their property seized by the state were allowed to reclaim much of it through a restitution system – but not ethnic Germans who lost it under the post-war Benes decrees.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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As my daughter’s face paled, and a man in a clown mask stalked the aisles, panic seized my limbs.—
Christa Carmen,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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No Blue Jay has usurped Carter in that category this October.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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Proposition 50 isn’t an offensive move to usurp power.—
Daniel Borenstein,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The sweeping opinion ran through a list of Israeli practices that the ICJ said violated international law, including confiscating land, building Israeli settlements in the territories, and depriving Palestinians of natural resources and the right to self-determination.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Victoria discussed payment, methods, and timing in messages discovered on a phone that was eventually confiscated from Amato by security guards.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Asian restaurant joins what has become an increasingly attractive section of Meridian for grabbing food.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Oct. 2025
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The Clinton years and the 1990s, defined by continuous domestic economic growth and headline-grabbing scandals, were a time when liberal idealism was so strong that Aaron Sorkin wrote a show about it.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Multiple suspects have been arrested in connection with the brazen heist of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris, a week after thieves stole millions of dollars worth of historic jewelry, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Marchenko kept the heat on by stealing a page from Johnson’s book of tricks, sliding it through Silovs’ pads.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The group’s charitable trust claims to have donated funds worth $14 million to help Cambodians in a range of initiatives.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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Per the outlet, the complaint claimed VVV did not pay Miss USA 2024 winner Alma Cooper her full $100,000 salary.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the 2024-25 season, Forest converted 30 of their 78 big chances (39 per cent), with Chris Wood scoring 13 of his 28.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Kareem Hunt, therefore, is more successful converting short yardage than the Tush Push.—
Sam McDowell
October 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nothing can be done, at this point, about the dubious premise that mainstream Jews and gentiles in 2020s Los Angeles occupy separate social worlds.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Finding effective ways to tackle post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans, especially those who’ve seen combat, is a worthy cause that has occupied the minds of many researchers over the years.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempt. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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