as in seized
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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Recent Examples of preempted
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
The companies argue states are preempted by a federal law, the Commodity Exchange Act, from enforcing state laws in the sports prediction market space.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Mississippi officials have argued that the state law is not preempted, while the RNC has urged the high court to strike down the Magnolia State’s law, along with similar ones in other states, as unlawful.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
Before even jumping into questions during Wednesday’s conference, Cardman preempted any probing questions.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
State laws conflict with and are preempted by the Atomic Energy Act, according to Post-Tribune archives.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Summit sued the counties later that year, arguing the ordinances were preempted by federal pipeline safety standards.
—Cami Koons, Des Moines Register, 14 Jan. 2026
The case involves whether Zyla can sue under state unfair competition laws or whether it’s preempted by a federal drug law.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
Jimmy Kimmel Live found itself at the forefront of national conversation in September when ABC abruptly suspended the show after affiliate groups like Sinclair and Nexstar preempted the show following a suggestion from FCC Chair Brendan Carr.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Dec. 2025
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The companies argue states are preempted by a federal law, the Commodity Exchange Act, from enforcing state laws in the sports prediction market space.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Mississippi officials have argued that the state law is not preempted, while the RNC has urged the high court to strike down the Magnolia State’s law, along with similar ones in other states, as unlawful.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
Before even jumping into questions during Wednesday’s conference, Cardman preempted any probing questions.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
State laws conflict with and are preempted by the Atomic Energy Act, according to Post-Tribune archives.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Summit sued the counties later that year, arguing the ordinances were preempted by federal pipeline safety standards.
—Cami Koons, Des Moines Register, 14 Jan. 2026
The case involves whether Zyla can sue under state unfair competition laws or whether it’s preempted by a federal drug law.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026
Jimmy Kimmel Live found itself at the forefront of national conversation in September when ABC abruptly suspended the show after affiliate groups like Sinclair and Nexstar preempted the show following a suggestion from FCC Chair Brendan Carr.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempted
Verb
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Against the odds, Ukraine managed to repel the initial Russian attack on Kyiv and, within a few months, took back large swaths of land originally seized by Moscow.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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In October 2022, two months after FBI agents seized boxes of materials from his Mar-a-Lago home, the then-former president questioned a president’s or former president’s legal authority to declassify sensitive information.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His character was killed off early in Season 9 after a devastating Season 8 plane crash that also claimed the life of Leigh’s Lexie.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Survivors of the catastrophic avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada that claimed at least eight lives were rescued after using an emergency feature available on some iPhones.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last month, the FBI raided a Georgia election office and confiscated hundreds of boxes of material from the 2020 election.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2026
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Her employee badge, keys and computer were confiscated, according to the memo.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many printers and news businesses were created, usurped or exchanged hands frequently during the 1910s era.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Look at how Taco Tuesday is circling the drain because the tariffs of President TrumpAlwaysChickensOut have usurped every other day of the week.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With a 10,000-square foot spa (the first true spa in the region), buzzy bar scene, and stellar restaurants, the property ensures even non-skiers will keep occupied.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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Additionally, Putin wants Kyiv to withdraw its forces from the four eastern regions Moscow has occupied but doesn't fully control.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Moroney, who sang covers, grabbed her guitar and riled up the crowd.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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The woman, who is listed as a current or former girlfriend of Fleming’s, first petitioned for a court order against him in January 2025, alleging that Fleming had grabbed her by her scarf and used it to choke her, and threatened her for spreading rumors about him.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With 650,000 fans expected to jam the city over the course of the month-long tournament, Burks assumed hundreds of other Kansas City homeowners must surely be doing the same, yes?—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
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But those estimates assumed current policies would remain in place.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While the executive branch oversees the appointments of the center's board of trustees, Congress has the ultimate say on what money gets appropriated and what projects get approved.—
Nathan Lee,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Democratic state lawmakers appropriated $30 million more than the $60 million Newsom called for in his budget.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempted. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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