as in seizes
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
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Recent Examples of preempts
Now, Supreme Court justices will weigh in on whether federal pesticide law preempts state-level claims.
—
Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Last week, a federal judge halted Arizona’s regulatory efforts — which have included criminal charges against Kalshi — finding that the federal commission had demonstrated a reasonable chance of success in showing that the act preempts Arizona law.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The company argued the federal order preempts any requirement from California regulators, including court orders.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Mississippi appealed a lower court ruling that found federal law preempts the statute, but several conservative justices expressed concern that counting ballots late could undermine faith in elections.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2026
Republicans and Libertarians told the court that federal election law preempts Mississippi from counting ballots that arrive up to five days after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Clement rejected that assertion by Jackson, saying that regardless of how the justices rule in this case, Congress can always pass a new law reversing the finding because the Supreme Court is presently just interpreting whether existing law preempts state late mail ballot laws.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
The court will specifically examine whether the federal Clean Air Act preempts state-law nuisance claims seeking damages from oil and gas companies.
—Taylor Millard, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Witt also added that the Legislature often preempts city regulations.
—Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Last week, a federal judge halted Arizona’s regulatory efforts — which have included criminal charges against Kalshi — finding that the federal commission had demonstrated a reasonable chance of success in showing that the act preempts Arizona law.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The company argued the federal order preempts any requirement from California regulators, including court orders.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Mississippi appealed a lower court ruling that found federal law preempts the statute, but several conservative justices expressed concern that counting ballots late could undermine faith in elections.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2026
Republicans and Libertarians told the court that federal election law preempts Mississippi from counting ballots that arrive up to five days after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Clement rejected that assertion by Jackson, saying that regardless of how the justices rule in this case, Congress can always pass a new law reversing the finding because the Supreme Court is presently just interpreting whether existing law preempts state late mail ballot laws.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
The court will specifically examine whether the federal Clean Air Act preempts state-law nuisance claims seeking damages from oil and gas companies.
—Taylor Millard, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Witt also added that the Legislature often preempts city regulations.
—Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preempts
Verb
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Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Like any well-meaning grifter, Anna (Halle Bailey) seizes the opportunity to hop a flight to picturesque Tuscany after meeting a handsome Italian stranger with an empty villa.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After witnessing Sinner miss 16 break points against the same opponent on Friday, Alcaraz would have been forgiven for worrying that something similar might happen to him — especially against arguably tennis’s greatest escape artist, at least until the Spaniard usurps him.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Jokic usurps Nurkic Jusuf Nurkic became Jokic’s first backup center in unceremonious fashion, getting benched by Michael Malone 25 games into his third season.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The children designated as Palestinians, meanwhile, have their drawings torn up and are relegated to small corners of the classroom while the teacher confiscates their candy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Nov. 2025
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Milwaukee Marshall High School confiscates a student’s phone until the end of the day for a first offense, requires a parent pickup after a second offense and issues an automatic suspension for repeat violations.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ebuehi starts to drive away as the officer reaches out and grabs Ebuehi and the scooter.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The zookeeper grabs him and delivers the line of the year.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The movement from Odegaard and Zubimendi towards the ball occupies Willock and Guimaraes, while White attacks the space vacated by the Newcastle captain and Havertz drops to provide a passing option.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The same year San Antonio Regional Hospital was agreeing to sell the land Nicolson Farms occupies, two other farms in nearby Ontario were lost to developers, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Testing showed that the French Roast Low Acid coffee contained half the caffeine of a regular blend, but it was not labeled accordingly, the suit claims.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
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By mapping the chemical signatures of different growing regions, Supima can provide forensic proof that a product is exactly what the label claims.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Henson, who does a lot with a character that doesn’t monopolize the spotlight, touches little Zonia’s hair or steals a subtle glance at her now and then.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Pledge is meaningless if the president of the United States lies to us, divides us, bullies us and steals from us.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The state appropriates within its budget to ensure bond holders know the state has the money, but the state hasn’t had to use that money because the admissions tax and tax district have funded the bond, Huston said.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preempts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preempts. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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