as in takeover
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
longtime residents resented the preemption of their urban neighborhood by this influx of affluent yuppies
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 preemption
The measure expands an existing prohibition on local governments from limiting agritourism activity on agricultural property to include preemptions against those property owners from having to obtain a rural event venue permit or license.
—
CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Then there’s Hillsborough County’s noise ordinance, changed shortly after the state added penalties to the preemption law in 2011.
—Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
State preemption at this sweeping level is a radical departure from the current system.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
An astonishing 134 preemptions have become law since 2013, according to the Florida Association of Counties.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preemption
CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Then there’s Hillsborough County’s noise ordinance, changed shortly after the state added penalties to the preemption law in 2011.
—Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
State preemption at this sweeping level is a radical departure from the current system.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
An astonishing 134 preemptions have become law since 2013, according to the Florida Association of Counties.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preemption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preemption
Noun
-
From Paramount’s perspective, there is no serious antitrust argument against the takeover.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Some of the 17 people charged in a chaotic street takeover in Randolph, Massachusetts last year are due in Quincy District Court Wednesday.—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its next stop will be the lower chamber’s appropriations committee.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But Congress, not the White House, ultimately sets NASA’s funding levels through the appropriations process.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The seizure followed a weekend of mixed signals on the status of the strait and mutual accusations of violating the fragile ceasefire set to expire Wednesday.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices are higher this morning as traders fear the seizure could re-escalate tensions in the Middle East, putting downward pressure on stock futures.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The city manager and other officials are named in an April 6 lawsuit seeking to reverse the annexation.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The Oswego Village Board authorized an annexation agreement with the developer, MK Builders and Construction LLC, in May of 2025.—
Linda Girardi,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is an ancient practice that continues into the Middle Ages called usurpation.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Court’s usurpation runs deeper than the invalidation of statutes with a liberal cast, though there has been plenty of that.—
Duncan Hosie,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preemption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preemption. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
