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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preempt
In the aftermath of Appomattox, ex-Confederates moved quickly, using propaganda, fraud, and terrorism, to preempt Black freedom and impose a system akin to slavery.
—
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The No Fakes Act would not preempt those laws, but would preempt any future state legislation on the issue.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
That ensures that federal rules will preempt state ones in the cities.
—Tom W Bell, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2025
The Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and Property Clause already give federal lawmakers exclusive authority to regulate land owned by the United States, thereby preempting state or local laws.
—Tom W Bell, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The No Fakes Act would not preempt those laws, but would preempt any future state legislation on the issue.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
That ensures that federal rules will preempt state ones in the cities.
—Tom W Bell, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2025
The Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and Property Clause already give federal lawmakers exclusive authority to regulate land owned by the United States, thereby preempting state or local laws.
—Tom W Bell, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preempt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempt
Verb
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These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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No law in this country permits the president to seize federal funds and to just keep them until an institution complies with his personal will.—
Destinee Adams,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, claims OPM is usurping congressional authority.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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The animals were confiscated and given to multiple wildlife agencies for care, according to the post.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The team still must determine who will grab the eighth spot in the bullpen.—
Dan Hayes,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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She was seen writhing in pain grabbing her right knee.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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Iran experts have claimed that the fatwa is non-existent.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Last spring, Harvard students protesting Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza occupied the university's central courtyard for 20 days and staged a 24-hour sit-in in another building.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Israeli Defense Forces now claim to occupy some 30% of Gaza territory.—
Lucien Bruggeman,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempt. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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