preempt

or pre-empt

[ pree-empt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.

   Synonyms: usurp, appropriate, claim

2. to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself; arrogate:

   a political issue preempted by the opposition party.

3. to take the place of because of priorities, reconsideration, rescheduling, etc.; supplant:

   The special newscast preempted the usual television program.

4. to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first; preclude; head off:

   an effort to preempt inflation.

verb (used without object)

1. Bridge. to make a preemptive bid.

noun

1. Bridge. a preemptive bid.

Other Words From

• pre·emp·ti·ble [pree-, emp, -t, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• pre·emp·tor [pree-, emp, -tawr, -ter], noun
• pre·emp·to·ry [pree-, emp, -t, uh, -ree], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preempt¹

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

Example Sentences

A high-ranking Republican congressman outlined a scheme to preempt the will of voters and award North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes to former president Donald Trump before ballots are tallied in that state.

From Salon

Managing the expectations of new users and explaining the logistics of the adjustment period can help preempt the early rejections and persistent underuse of hearing aids.

From Slate

But it is getting closer than ever to becoming an election-changing financial technology, one that could single-handedly preempt the ambitions of the first two years of a Harris presidency—while writing the playbook for other industries to do the same in years to come.

From Slate

The codification of the right to an abortion was meant to preempt any further attempts at restrictions from the Supreme Court.

From Salon

A strong federal law on data privacy must prohibit companies from targeting ads to a person based on their online behavior; must not preempt even stricter state laws; must ensure people have a private right of action to sue the corporations that violate their statutory privacy rights; must prohibit companies from processing a person’s data except as strictly necessary to provide whatever goods or services they asked for; and must prohibit companies from processing a person’s data without obtaining informed, voluntary, specific, opt-in consent.

From Salon