preemption

noun

prē-ˈem(p)-shən How to pronounce preemption (audio)
Definition of preemptionnext
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

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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 Another potential defense is preemption by the Copyright Act. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026 But Democrats on the Commerce Committee ultimately stripped out preemption of state AI laws originally in the Chatbot Act. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026 Other courts have upheld local-cleaning policies against Energy Policy and Conservation Act preemption challenges, according to the village. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 This contrasts sharply with a federal judge's decision days earlier, blocking Minnesota from criminalizing prediction markets, a win for Kalshi and the CFTC who argue federal preemption. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preemption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preemption
  1. takeover
  2. appropriation
  3. seizure
  4. annexation
  5. usurpation
Noun
  • Assuming a 30% takeover premium, SpaceX would pay nearly $2 trillion in stock, leaving Tesla’s shareholders with almost half the combined company.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The home takeover came to light when a real estate company bought the property from West’s heirs months later, the arrest affidavit said.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of takeover
Noun
  • The deal, however, remains subject to congressional authorization and appropriations.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This is not a request for an additional appropriation from Maryland’s education budget.
    — Claudia Nachtigal, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of appropriation
Noun
  • On April 13, 2021—the day after Lanitis died—the Appenzell Ausserrhoden prosecutor’s office ordered the seizure of relevant records and called for an autopsy, which revealed that Lanitis had died of multiple organ failure.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • This comes amid a surge of violence and land seizures by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
    — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of seizure
Noun
  • Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition partners frequently call for the West Bank’s annexation and the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority in the territory.
    — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Yolo County voters approved annexation into SMUD’s service territory but rejected a separate measure to switch electricity providers by just 10 votes.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of annexation
Noun
  • Cathy’s ingratiation with, and eventual usurpation of, brothel owner Faye (Martha Plimpton) gets an entire episode.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Wasserman Schultz’s decision to run in the historically Black 20th Congressional District was selfish and opportunistic carpetbagging, a devastating usurpation of power from Black Floridians.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of usurpation

Browse Nearby Words

preempting
preemption
preemptions
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Cite this Entry

“Preemption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preemption. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on preemption

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about preemption

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