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 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 This contrasts sharply with a federal judge's decision days earlier, blocking Minnesota from criminalizing prediction markets, a win for Kalshi and the CFTC who argue federal preemption. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 While a handful in Congress are taking the issue of AI oversight and transparency seriously, the debate over preemption risks overshadowing the broader goal of establishing a federal AI governance framework. — Caleb Knapp, Fortune, 3 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
  • Goldman Sachs then led a lender takeover, stripping the lot from the real estate giant that had held it out as the crown jewel of its Hollywood portfolio.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to security safeguards, Shield promises to reimburse up to $100,000 for regular users, and up to $500,000 for its highest class of VIP users, in the event of a third-party takeover.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of takeover
Noun
  • The $1 million was included at Matsui’s request in the fiscal 2026 budget in January and became law April 30 as part of a congressional appropriations package.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Those appropriations will need to be approved by the Maryland General Assembly and Baltimore County Council.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of appropriation
Noun
  • Last week, federal agents in Miami announced the seizure of more than 600,000 gallons of biodiesel at Port Everglades and Port Houston heading to Cuba.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In the decade of violent conflicts that followed, attacks on border towns and seizures of American property by revolutionaries and bandits prompted the United States to send two military expeditions into Mexico.
    — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of seizure
Noun
  • Overall, the feasibility study said the annexation area represents a logical extension of the city’s existing urban development pattern.
    — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In 2019, Prime Minister Netanyahu began referring to extending sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, or de jure annexation.
    — Dahlia Scheindlin, Time, 7 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

Browse Nearby Words

preempting
preemption
preemptions
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Cite this Entry

“Preemption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preemption. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preemption

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about preemption

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