as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the thoughtless teenagers had preempted front-row seats that were reserved for the guests of honor
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 preempt
This legislation would broadly preempt city zoning and land use authority and ignore long range local comprehensive plans.
—
Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Rudy Gobert: The Jazz center tested positive March 11, preempting that night's game in Oklahoma City.
—Erin Alberty, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
That same month, a furious British Prime Minister Theresa May complained to the American president that his officials had disclosed the name of a suicide bomber who attacked a concert arena in Manchester, preempting local law enforcement.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
Before adjourning the regular session this spring, Lt. Governor Patrick and his colleagues are expected to approve zoning reforms that protect property rights, streamline the permitting process, and preempt local rules that impede construction of new housing.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Rudy Gobert: The Jazz center tested positive March 11, preempting that night's game in Oklahoma City.
—Erin Alberty, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
That same month, a furious British Prime Minister Theresa May complained to the American president that his officials had disclosed the name of a suicide bomber who attacked a concert arena in Manchester, preempting local law enforcement.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
Before adjourning the regular session this spring, Lt. Governor Patrick and his colleagues are expected to approve zoning reforms that protect property rights, streamline the permitting process, and preempt local rules that impede construction of new housing.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
-
At that point, Hamas had emerged victorious in elections and seized power amid a violent rift with the PA's leading Fatah faction, still led by Arafat's successor, President Mahmoud Abbas.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has been fighting a multi-front war against pro-democracy fighters and ethnic armed groups after seizing power in 2021, with credible and widespread reports of atrocities against the people.—
Ross Adkin,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The movie takes place in 1957, when Genovese is jealous of Costello’s power and influence and wants to usurp him as the big boss in New York.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, claims OPM is usurping congressional authority.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Then, in 2010, the bank where the chips were stored confiscated the chips after opening the deposit box.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The animals were confiscated and given to multiple wildlife agencies for care, according to the post.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There was not a vast gulf between the teams on Saturday but Wolves had the edge in terms of quality, none more so than substitute Pablo Sarabia, who stepped off the bench to grab a goal and an assist with an ice-cool finish and a clever pass for Strand Larsen.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Roberts grabbed eight boards vs. Gonzaga in the round of 32, 12 vs. Purdue in the Sweet 16 and 12 more vs. Duke in the Final Four.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Coop is fired from his high-profile finance job, starts stealing from his wealthy neighbors to keep up his lifestyle, chaos ensues, and get your popcorn ready.—
Danielle Pergament,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Tom Richard Santos with John of Sherwood: After the death of Robin Hood, a grieving Little John returns to his ancestral Celtic tribe to protect it from the corrupt Church bent on stealing its land — and to confront the dark truth of his crimes as a Merry Man.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
If the Department of Education succeeds in obtaining immunity from DOGE lawsuits, other Trump administration departments would likely claim the same immunity.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Müller’s central argument has been that populism should primarily be defined as a movement in which a leader claims to represent a silenced or forgotten—and almost always exclusionary—majority.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The largest cause of deforestation is a lack of demand for forest products, which causes our forest to be converted to industrial, agricultural, residential uses.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
However, his time with the Patriots was brief—the team had drafted him with the intention of converting him to another position like defensive back or running back, position changes Gannon resisted.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike classical computing, which processes information through bits that can exist in either zeros or ones, quantum computing is an evolving field where quantum bits (or qubits) can occupy both zero and one in a single unit.—
Rachel Curry,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2025
-
A couple of Jacob's cowboys take position on the roof, Zane takes cover out front, Elizabeth arms herself with a shotgun inside, and Cara occupies a sniper perch with her husband's elk rifle.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempt. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share