preemption

noun

prē-ˈem(p)-shən How to pronounce preemption (audio)
Definition of preemptionnext
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

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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 Extending this type of preemption to air pollution would be a dramatic and unlimited expansion of the principle of foreign policy preemption. — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 The conflicting appellate rulings have created a circuit split over the scope of federal preemption and the states’ authority to regulate sports contracts. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026 But Democrats on the Commerce Committee ultimately stripped out preemption of state AI laws originally in the Chatbot Act. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026 Other courts have upheld local-cleaning policies against Energy Policy and Conservation Act preemption challenges, according to the village. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preemption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preemption
  1. takeover
  2. appropriation
  3. seizure
  4. annexation
  5. usurpation
Noun
  • In Frisco, Texas, opposition to Hindu temples and a mosque fueled claims of an Indian takeover, and a protester tore apart an Indian flag near City Hall.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, who Abbott appointed, announced the takeover October 2025, after a school that had since been closed received five consecutive failing scores in Texas’ A-F accountability ratings.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of takeover
Noun
  • Unlike most educational funding, the FSTC isn’t a legislative appropriation.
    — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 protects lawmakers’ decisions against presidential efforts to ignore congressional appropriations.
    — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of appropriation
Noun
  • On April 13, 2021—the day after Lanitis died—the Appenzell Ausserrhoden prosecutor’s office ordered the seizure of relevant records and called for an autopsy, which revealed that Lanitis had died of multiple organ failure.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • This comes amid a surge of violence and land seizures by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
    — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of seizure
Noun
  • Three weeks after the city stopped the annexation, effectively killing the development, local reporters confirmed that Beale was moving forward with the data center anyway.
    — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In February, the cities of Fort Worth and Aledo joined together to sue Willow Park in Parker County, saying the initial annexation was unlawful since the land wasn’t contiguous to Willow Park’s boundaries.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of annexation
Noun
  • Cathy’s ingratiation with, and eventual usurpation of, brothel owner Faye (Martha Plimpton) gets an entire episode.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run in the historically Black 20th Congressional District was selfish and opportunistic carpetbagging, a devastating usurpation of power from Black Floridians.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of usurpation

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preemption
preemptions
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Cite this Entry

“Preemption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preemption. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preemption

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about preemption

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