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
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Recent Examples of preempting
With the circumlunar flight of Artemis II, and the prospect of landing astronauts on the lunar surface within a few years, humanity is preempting an era where the imprint of visiting the Moon would be erased from living memory.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
Advocates want federal lawmakers to pass online safety laws around social media and AI tools without preempting states’ ability to regulate.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
But by preempting state standards entirely, Congress would effectively be making that decision itself.
—John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2026
Advocates want federal lawmakers to pass online safety laws around social media and AI tools without preempting states’ ability to regulate.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
But by preempting state standards entirely, Congress would effectively be making that decision itself.
—John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempting
Verb
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That’s not currently the case with José Caballero, a career utilityman, seizing his shot to start at shortstop over the past few weeks.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
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Unlike Friday’s Oaks, where Ortiz had Always a Runner near the leaders before taking charge through the final turn and soaring past Meaning for a 1 1/4-length win, seizing the Derby required everything from jockey and mount.—
Gary B. Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Other complaints had to do with the Puerto Rican rap star grabbing his crotch, and with two dancers who allegedly grabbed each other's breasts (which, if true, is a wild dance move).—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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Particularly since the savings made in service-staff costs and brick-and-mortar bar space, not to mention the affordability of buying booze here in China's RMB currency, aren't that far off grabbing a can or bottle from a nearby 24-hour convenience store.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 May 2026
Verb
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One wonders how long the citizens of those communities are going to put up with the state usurping their authority to govern themselves.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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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
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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
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Many researchers, clinicians and patient advocates soon rushed to RP1’s defense, claiming that the FDA had made a mistake in its rejection.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
2 May 2026
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Horses peek out from their stalls, a would-be Derby winner sharing space with an anonymous claiming horse.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Officials say the ring targeted vulnerable residents by forging documents, stealing personal information about the real owners and arranging the sales of the properties.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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There's a long way to go before the season gets here and stealing the spotlight on Thursday night during the draft doesn’t guarantee anything.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Increasing the density of housing units would mean converting less farmland and could help the project meet vehicle emissions targets.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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For the Urban Redevelopment Authority, every penny counts when converting empty offices into housing.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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At first glance, the pairing might seem like an unconventional one, even though both artists are well known for appropriating others’ images.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
8 May 2026
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The Legislature is appropriating $5 million in one-time funding to put toward the fund.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempting. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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