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
One of the best defenses in civil litigation is that the plaintiff has pleaded laws that are preempted by other laws.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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 company says those state-law claims are preempted by federal 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
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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 company says those state-law claims are preempted by federal 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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Agents also seized about $80,000 in cash, six firearms and additional quantities of narcotics during arrests carried out Thursday morning.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Government agencies commonly seized land from Black and Latino property owners to expand cities and build infrastructure.—
Ara Rosenthal,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Long-range drones operated by a special operations unit of the Ukraine Security Service struck a major oil depot and transshipment terminal in southern Russia's Krasnodar region, a senior Ukrainian official claimed Thursday.—
HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Ukraine targets Russian energy sites Long-range drones operated by a special operations unit of the Ukraine Security Service struck a major oil depot and transshipment terminal in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region, a senior Ukrainian official claimed Thursday.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Of the 700 firearms confiscated in crimes in Erie since 2023, Lorah estimated 70% were probably involved in the drug trade.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Hospitals had confiscated the peroxide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But streaming has usurped DVR use as a way to watch TV after the fact and is now the path to big audiences for network shows.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
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The lawsuit claims the executive order is unlawful and unconstitutional, specifically that DeSantis has usurped the exclusive authority of the federal government to identify and designate terrorist organizations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For many longtime viewers, the conclusion of that program marks the fading of a format that once occupied a central place in American culture.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Orange County Board of Supervisors is guaranteed at least a bit of fresh representation this election cycle, as four candidates with civic leadership experience will contest for the open 4th District seat occupied by outgoing Supervisor Doug Chaffee.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tiller also made an impact as a rim protector and grabbed four offensive rebounds.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Ricks grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began to stab Sanchez multiple times, court records showed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Davidson, who assumed her former role at the Kennedy Center in April 2023, intended to stay in the nation’s capital until the orchestra celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2031.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
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Many actors have assumed the titular role over the years, with recent iterations including David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, and Peter Capaldi.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But, as with many artists whose music has been appropriated by the Administration, the White House has faced pushback, including from video game fans as well as some developers, over its use of gaming memes and references to promote its policies.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
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To date the city has appropriated $57,168,154 for the park project.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempted. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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