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
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
Federal preemption legislation would establish uniform national standards for AI systems while preserving states’ ability to enforce general consumer protection laws.
—James Richardson, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
This supply-side reform is gaining momentum across states, where over 100 pro-housing bills were signed into law in 2025, with Texas and California leading on zoning preemption.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The program was reinstated nearly a week later, though two broadcast groups (Nexstar and Sinclair) decided to maintain their preemption in several territories.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preemption
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Federal preemption legislation would establish uniform national standards for AI systems while preserving states’ ability to enforce general consumer protection laws.
—James Richardson, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
This supply-side reform is gaining momentum across states, where over 100 pro-housing bills were signed into law in 2025, with Texas and California leading on zoning preemption.
—Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The program was reinstated nearly a week later, though two broadcast groups (Nexstar and Sinclair) decided to maintain their preemption in several territories.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for preemption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preemption
Noun
-
If the digital nouveau riche have sufficient discretionary income to unseat the coupon-clipping linear-TV gang, all that outsized buying power may not necessarily translate to a full-on tech takeover.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines of Denver, a frequent but unsuccessful takeover suitor of Spirit Airlines, intends to add daily service to Dulles International Airport outside of Washington starting May 21, the company announced this week.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Donations to the government are accepted into the Treasury Department – which holds the government's cash – and then disbursed based on congressional appropriations – rules set by Congress about how they can be distributed – just like other federal funds.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Schumer introduced a bill to solely fund TSA, suspending Senate rules and advancing it through the Rules Committee, which doesn’t handle appropriations legislation.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There have been several large drug seizures in Puerto Rico in the last few months alone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
From 2022 to 2024, Mexican authorities greatly increased the seizure of these vehicles and the detention of migrants traveling inside them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The controversial Crowsnest annexation petition in Castle Pines has been withdrawn by the developer, as Castle Pines prepares to consider creating an annexation policy.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Approved on Tuesday was the annexation of the land into Yorkville that will one day hold the Project Cardinal data centers, a rezoning of the area to a general manufacturing zoning district and utility, infrastructure and development agreements between the city and Pioneer Development.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 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 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
