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
-
Fans inside the packed stadium in Inglewood, California, roared as the USMNT seized an early advantage.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
During the operation, officials seized multiple amounts of drugs and several boxes containing fireworks.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Chicagoans have a deep reverence for the thick, unique pizza style, and Cornell and Stevenson said visitors from the Windy City have claimed Zelda’s is the most authentic version of the pie in California.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
Court documents allege Evergreen Grocery and Deli claimed to have served more than 3,000 meals twice daily, seven days a week.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The Supreme Court released an 8-1 ruling allowing a lawsuit over property confiscated by the Cuban government to move forward.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
From the moment Lawrence had the first edition privately printed in Italy, American and British authorities confiscated copies that had been smuggled across their borders and secretly read the novel for pleasure.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
3 June 2026
Verb
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James Purefoy plays King Randor, He-Man’s father and the previous ruler of Eternia who was usurped by Skeletor.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
As the name implies, these sensors are designed to detect whether the room is occupied.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2026
-
Estuardo Mazariegos and Jose Ugarte will vie for the District 9 council seat that is currently occupied by Curren Price, and Tim Gaspar and Barri Worth Girvan will square off for the District 3 seat held by incumbent Bob Blumenfield.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Cameron Brink added 15 points off the bench and Dearica Hamby grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sparks (6-6) in the Commissioner’s Cup game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Cameron Brink added 15 points off the bench, Erica Wheeler scored 10 and Dearica Hamby grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sparks (6-6) in the Commissioner’s Cup game.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Gordon assumed the role in August 2024, after serving for eight years as the head of the National Institute of Mental Health.—
Megan Molteni,
STAT,
5 June 2026
-
It was assumed to have been seized by the Nazis in 1938 or later.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Last fiscal year, the county appropriated nearly $500 million to cover possible payouts on claims from fire victims of the Airport fire.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
When Congress appropriated the $150 million, only America250 was planning celebrations for the 250th.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempted. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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