pre-empt
[verb]
Synonyms: anticipate, appropriate, assume, usurp

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

pre-empt , pre·empt /priˈempt/ verb [transitive]
[Date: 1800-1900; Origin: preemption (17-21 centuries), from Medieval Latin praeemere 'to buy before']

1. to make what someone has planned to do or say unnecessary or ineffective by saying or doing something first:
The deal pre-empted a strike by rail workers.

2. American English to replace a television show with a special programme or report:
Regular programming was preempted by a report on the war.
—pre-emption /-ˈempʃən/ noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲