preempt

or pre-empt

[ pree-empt ]

See synonyms for: preempt preempted preempting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.
to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself; arrogate: a political issue preempted by the opposition party.

to take the place of because of priorities, reconsideration, rescheduling, etc.; supplant: The special newscast preempted the usual television program.
to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first; preclude; head off: an effort to preempt inflation.

verb (used without object)

Bridge. to make a preemptive bid.

noun

Bridge. a preemptive bid.

Origin of preempt

An Americanism first recorded in 1840–50; back formation from preemption

Other words for preempt

1	claim, appropriate, usurp

See synonyms for preempt on Thesaurus.com

Other words from preempt

pre·emp·ti·ble [pree-emp-tuh-buhl], /priˈɛmp tə bəl/, adjective
pre·emp·tor [pree-emp-tawr, -ter], /priˈɛmp tɔr, -tər/, noun
pre·emp·to·ry [pree-emp-tuh-ree], /priˈɛmp tə ri/, adjective

Words Nearby preempt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preempt in a sentence

Tokyo was hoping to preempt a more nationalistic potential buyer from making the purchase.
China Is Protesting, Too | Melinda Liu | September 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Netanyahu would arguably be trying to preempt—not an Iranian nuclear attack—but the reelection of Barack Obama.
Who is Bibi preempting – Obama or Iran? | Trita Parsi | August 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
To avoid blame, Cantor claimed that the Democrats were intending to do the same and he just wanted to preempt them.
9 Revelations From Robert Draper’s ‘Do Not Ask What Good We Do’ | Ben Jacobs | April 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Worse yet, if the court does come out against Obamacare, it can well preempt the decision of the American people in November.
Supreme Court’s Obamacare Ruling Will Politicize Judicial Process | Bruce Ackerman | November 15, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
So this year, take action and preempt the chocolate raid by making him these fabulous melting and fudgy brownies for Father's Day.
A Treat for Father’s Day | Lydia Brownlow | June 19, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST

It was what is called a wind-break and I determined to preempt it for the night.
The Indians' Last Fight | Dennis Collins
The woman who forgives and doesn't forget is trying to preempt heaven and raise hell.
The Complete Cynic | Oliver Herford

British Dictionary definitions for pre-empt

pre-empt

/ (prɪˈɛmpt) /

verb

(tr) to acquire in advance of or to the exclusion of others; appropriate
(tr) mainly US to occupy (public land) in order to acquire a prior right to purchase

(intr) bridge to make a high opening bid, often on a weak hand, to shut out opposition bidding

Derived forms of pre-empt

pre-emptor, noun
pre-emptory, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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