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
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Recent Examples of preemptions
The measure expands an existing prohibition on local governments from limiting agritourism activity on agricultural property to include preemptions against those property owners from having to obtain a rural event venue permit or license.
—
CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
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
CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preemptions
Noun
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During these takeovers, authorities say teens often assault people and sometimes each other, commit robberies and carry out other disorderly behavior.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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Local beaches across the region have had numerous beach takeovers on warm days over the last few weeks.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The appropriations bill signed into law in January 2026 retained the research office, funded NOAA at roughly $6 billion and directed the agency not to close its laboratories.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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The Treasury Department insisted no taxpayer dollars will be used to produce the new bill, noting Bureau of Engraving and Printing finances its operations entirely through product sales and billings rather than relying on annual congressional appropriations.—
Rachel Scott,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Overall, the operation netted 1,139 arrests, 984 firearm seizures, and 615 criminal indictments, according to an FBI document reviewed by Fox News Digital.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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If a fetus becomes infected, toxoplasmosis can lead to a range of health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, jaundice or other liver problems, abnormal blood counts, rashes, eye disease, developmental delays, seizures, brain calcification, and in extreme cases, stillbirth.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
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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 5 Jun. 2026.
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