preempt

or pre-empt

[ pree-empt ]

/ priˈɛmpt /

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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.

OTHER WORDS FOR preempt

1 claim, appropriate, usurp.

See synonyms for preempt on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of preempt

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

OTHER WORDS FROM preempt

pre·emp·ti·ble [pree-emp-tuh-buhl], /priˈɛmp tə bəl/, adjectivepre·emp·tor

[pree-emp-tawr, -ter], /priˈɛmp tɔr, -tər/, nounpre·emp·to·ry

[pree-emp-tuh-ree], /priˈɛmp tə ri/, adjective

How to use preempt in a sentence

After Jim Crow laws were abolished, these preemptory challenges were the tool used to keep blacks off of juries.
George Zimmerman Is Destined for a Hung Jury|Mansfield Frazier|April 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
As we passed by a house an upper window was lifted and a voice called out in a preemptory tone and asked what cavalry that was.
A History of the Town of Fairfax|Jeanne Johnson Rust
That command two nights ago for me to be on the spot every night was just too preemptory for me to oblige.
The Brain|Alexander Blade
She sat down on the top step of the landing, where she had so often paused to read her letters, and re-read the preemptory letter.
Marjorie Dean, College Senior|Pauline Lester

Quite accustomed to the old ladys moods, Marjorie obligingly complied with the preemptory request.
Marjorie Dean, College Senior|Pauline Lester

British Dictionary definitions for preempt

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, nounpre-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