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
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
Those remarks resulted in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr threatening action against ABC, and media companies Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting Group—both of which own many ABC affiliates—preempting the show.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Sinclair last week followed Nexstar in preempting Kimmel’s show.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
The news came in the wake of Nexstar Media Group, the owner of many local TV stations, announcing that its ABC affiliates would be preempting Kimmel's show in the wake of his comments about the death of Charlie Kirk.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Those remarks resulted in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr threatening action against ABC, and media companies Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting Group—both of which own many ABC affiliates—preempting the show.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Sinclair last week followed Nexstar in preempting Kimmel’s show.
—Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
The news came in the wake of Nexstar Media Group, the owner of many local TV stations, announcing that its ABC affiliates would be preempting Kimmel's show in the wake of his comments about the death of Charlie Kirk.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempting
Verb
-
Fentanyl, which was responsible for the overwhelming majority of them, doesn’t come from Venezuela, and the Coast Guard has no record of seizing it in the Caribbean.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
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The purchase of the rifle was possible because IMPD and the Marion County prosecutors never filed a red flag petition with the court after seizing the shotgun.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Peterson led the way, scoring 26 points — 24 before halftime — and grabbing four rebounds.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the sheriff and of usurping her authority, leading the county Board of Supervisors to eliminate his position in November 2024.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
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Besides, usurping Jinkx Monsoon for Miss Piggy would fan the ferocious flames of backstage drama and turmoil (hmmm … Smash season-three idea).—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Witnesses claimed that after France’s embarrassing loss to Haiti, the French government retaliated by confiscating Ferdinand’s belongings and abandoning the child to an orphanage.—
Marlene L. Daut
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
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Even confiscating half would barely register against a $6 trillion federal budget.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here's why Americans are claiming Social Security early At a recent internal meeting, a Social Security administrator noted that new benefit claims were up more than 15% in March, compared with the same month in 2024.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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In his interview with CNN, Noboa acknowledged the worsening homicide statistics, but pushed back by claiming that a greater percentage of the killings involved criminal-on-criminal violence.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their double life soon gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret begins stealing their fans.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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And the scam compounds in Cambodia continue to operate, stealing money from victims including US citizens.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Worryingly, star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has not received a single big chance in his 455 minutes of action, having shone as a poacher in 2024-25, converting 10 of 23 such opportunities.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Kareem Hunt, therefore, is more successful converting short yardage than the Tush Push.—
Sam McDowell
October 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Legislative leaders are considering appropriating the money during a special session next month.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
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While some fans were thrilled to see the return of a Snapchat filter, matte-lip sporting Jenner, others were less enchanted, calling the reality star out for appropriating Black culture.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preempting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempting. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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