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
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Recent Examples of preempted
The Weird and Wild column had to be preempted by other programming these last couple of weeks.
—
Jayson Stark, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Frost noted that the show was preempted for six out of eight weeks of airing as the network turned its attention to the Gulf War.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
In February 2025, a state appeals court upheld the jury’s verdict, ruling that Missouri’s laws requiring companies to warn of dangers are not preempted by federal law.
—Sarah J. Morath, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Monsanto argues those claims should have been preempted by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which requires manufacturers to register pesticides with the EPA before selling them, which Monsanto did.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
The administration argued that the order preempted several California laws, regulations and court orders, which had, for months, blocked the pipelines’ restart.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
And the Jets preempted a looming Williams contract issue with that deal.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
To that end, Kalshi insists states are preempted by a federal law, the Commodity Exchange Act, from enforcing their gambling laws on exchanges that offer sports prediction market wagers.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Volunteer Jane Gilbert recommends newbies check the site to make sure the Sunday practice isn’t preempted by a special event.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Jayson Stark, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Frost noted that the show was preempted for six out of eight weeks of airing as the network turned its attention to the Gulf War.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
In February 2025, a state appeals court upheld the jury’s verdict, ruling that Missouri’s laws requiring companies to warn of dangers are not preempted by federal law.
—Sarah J. Morath, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Monsanto argues those claims should have been preempted by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which requires manufacturers to register pesticides with the EPA before selling them, which Monsanto did.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
The administration argued that the order preempted several California laws, regulations and court orders, which had, for months, blocked the pipelines’ restart.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
And the Jets preempted a looming Williams contract issue with that deal.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
To that end, Kalshi insists states are preempted by a federal law, the Commodity Exchange Act, from enforcing their gambling laws on exchanges that offer sports prediction market wagers.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Volunteer Jane Gilbert recommends newbies check the site to make sure the Sunday practice isn’t preempted by a special event.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempted
Verb
-
Liliana Escobar made sure the Lions seized it.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
During the search, police said investigators allegedly seized 30 grams worth of fentanyl pills, 12 grams of crack cocaine, several digital scales, a BB gun, and two 9mm rounds of ammunition.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Suvali took longer to be claimed and eventually Ethan was volunteered by the room and accepted with grace.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Iran claimed the shutdown was a wartime necessity Iranian authorities first shut down the internet in January during mass anti-government protests that were eventually stamped out in a violent crackdown.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Fighting is also driving ongoing displacements and deaths in the nearby Artibonite region where on Wednesday police destroyed the home of the head of the Kokorat San Ras gang and confiscated several weapons.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
-
After all, having property confiscated should mean that a later settlement is effectively paying you for your property.—
Robert W. Wood,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Though its glam environs were eventually usurped by Hawaii’s many newer luxury resorts, an extensive renovation in 2008 gave the Mauna Kea an update without sacrificing its throwback charm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2026
-
After opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
If the Wizards are much more competitive in the season ahead, as expected, more lower-bowl seats should be occupied.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The bar, in space once occupied by Edible Arrangements at mid-block, will offer low-cost beer and drinks — in the tradition of a hip, dive bar — plus a limited menu of food.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
In the final two minutes, Salaün grabbed two crucial rebounds, hit two free throws, and knocked down a clutch jumper that gave Golden State a 87-84 lead.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Howard added 22 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds, and Miles added 16 points and eight assists.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Top prospect Gage Jump was called up and assumed a spot in the rotation after starting later Tuesday.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2026
-
Wang was elected to the City Council in November 2022 and eventually assumed the job of mayor, a position that rotates among the council members.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
By 2010, Congress appropriated $19 million for the effort.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2026
-
The money hasn't been appropriated by Congress.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempted. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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