as in takeovers
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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Recent Examples of preemptions
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
Even with nearly a quarter of the country blacked out due to affiliate preemptions — protests and temper tantrums by station groups and owners, basically — Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
It should be noted that preemptions were significant throughout premiere week, with syndicated series bumped to make room for Monday Night Football and the 24th anniversary of 9/11, which are standard at this time of year, in addition to as coverage of both the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Even with nearly a quarter of the country blacked out due to affiliate preemptions — protests and temper tantrums by station groups and owners, basically — Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
It should be noted that preemptions were significant throughout premiere week, with syndicated series bumped to make room for Monday Night Football and the 24th anniversary of 9/11, which are standard at this time of year, in addition to as coverage of both the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preemptions
Noun
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The Instagram-popular bridge has been the site of takeovers and taggers, arch climbers and copper-wire thieves since it was completed in July of 2022.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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School administrators are squeezed between upholding the First Amendment rights of students and caving to pressures from Texas leaders who have warned of state takeovers.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Congress is meant to approve an annual authorization bill to set NASA’s priorities and an appropriations bill that allocates money, but the former is often neglected; the most recent finalized NASA authorization bill dates to 2022.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
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So the funding instead comes through federal or state appropriations, loan or grant programs and other options.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Symptoms can include difficulty growing and gaining weight, slowed development of motor skills, intellectual disabilities, autistic behaviors and seizures, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.—
Leanne Miller,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
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But people with a history of severe trauma or post traumatic stress should be cautious, as should people dealing with injuries, joint problems, seizures, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychosis.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But county commissioners voted in February to put a moratorium on annexations and incorporations for at least five years to give the county time to assess the fiscal impact of future annexation and incorporations.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preemptions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preemptions. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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