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
  • Those concentrates can be up to 13 times stronger than morphine, and users risk addiction, liver damage, and seizures— or worse.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Most government seizures are made through mail and express-courier services, rather than through shipping containers, and many of the shipments originate in China and Hong Kong.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preemption

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about preemption

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