as in seizing
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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preempting
Florida lawmakers have passed many bills preempting local laws in recent years but a ban on local governments banning of single-use plastic straws.
—
Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Paper straws Florida lawmakers have passed many bills preempting local laws in recent years but a ban on local governments banning of single-use plastic straws.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
The council instructed planners to release acreage currently earmarked for annexation back to Ada County, preempting future requests to incorporate the land into Boise for development.
—Mark Dee
january 27, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
In addition to the GAIN AI Act, lawmakers have also been divided over a push to include a provision preempting state AI laws in the NDAA.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2025
There's internal discussion noted the importance of securing him to a new contract now, potentially preempting interest or offers from other promotions as his current deal nears its end.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
DeSantis signed a bill this year preempting local governments from blocking development of a presidential library, aiming to overrule potential opposition in liberal-leaning counties or municipalities.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
The late-night show returned to ABC days later, drawing more than 6 million viewers, despite Nextar and Sinclair affiliates preempting the show.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Two major station owners, Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group, still are preempting his program from their airwaves.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Paper straws Florida lawmakers have passed many bills preempting local laws in recent years but a ban on local governments banning of single-use plastic straws.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
The council instructed planners to release acreage currently earmarked for annexation back to Ada County, preempting future requests to incorporate the land into Boise for development.
—Mark Dee
january 27, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
In addition to the GAIN AI Act, lawmakers have also been divided over a push to include a provision preempting state AI laws in the NDAA.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2025
There's internal discussion noted the importance of securing him to a new contract now, potentially preempting interest or offers from other promotions as his current deal nears its end.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
DeSantis signed a bill this year preempting local governments from blocking development of a presidential library, aiming to overrule potential opposition in liberal-leaning counties or municipalities.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
The late-night show returned to ABC days later, drawing more than 6 million viewers, despite Nextar and Sinclair affiliates preempting the show.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Two major station owners, Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group, still are preempting his program from their airwaves.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempting
Verb
-
Her business is seizing the moment as AI radically transforms workflows, including that of lawyers, but her initial passion for the career came much earlier in life.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Targeting property Iran’s judiciary has begun seizing the property of public figures critical of the country’s rulers, under an anti-espionage law approved during last year’s 12-day war with Israel that punishes media and cultural activities deemed to support Iran’s enemies.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kyla Oldacre led Texas with 11 points off the bench while grabbing seven rebounds.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The victim listed in the police records later told police about two incidents of physical assault, including grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking, according to the documents.—
Meriam Bouarrouj,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One of the things that's gone really wrong in America is this gas station/convenience store/fast food restaurant that is usurping small town America.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
-
By January 2025, Szczesny had become manager Hansi Flick’s No 1 choice in goal, putting together a string of solid performances and usurping Inaki Pena in the role.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The sisters’ mother, Vesta Louis, told Politico this week that federal investigators raided both of their homes in simultaneous operations on March 23, confiscating their cellphones and other electronics.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
-
While Tehran is being bombarded, the regime’s security forces have been stationed at checkpoints across the city, searching civilians and confiscating their phones.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Based on simple human longevity, the typical retiree will collect the most benefits in the long run by claiming the largest possible monthly check.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
During the course of the bribery-kickback scheme, Joseph aided in the filing of false tax returns by claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in false business deductions.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Melrose, Massachusetts attorney Henry Rappa is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a couple who hired him to handle a major family inheritance.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
His exasperated wife, Lili, gets a classic Lucy Punch-up from the veteran scene-stealing British actress (Jingle Bell Heist).—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The interior renovation includes converting the office cubicles into approximately 399 apartments and 200 hotel rooms.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
These programs focus on converting grass lawns to desert-friendly landscaping and encouraging owners to fix leaks and install smart meters and low-flow devices.—
Dave White,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During Akbar’s conquest of the Malwa region in India, Adham Khan was accused of under-reporting the spoils of the war and appropriating much of it for his own use.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
On Friday, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced the City Council had passed a resolution appropriating up to $900,000 in grant funding to restore the Police Department's cadet program in an effort to boost recruiting numbers.—
Brad Hamilton,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempting. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
