pre-empt

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

pre-empt
    n 1: a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players
         from bidding [syn: {preemptive bid}, {pre-empt}, {preempt}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Preempt \Pre*["e]mpt"\ (?; 215), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Pre["e]mpted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pre["e]mpting}.] [See
   {Pre["e]mption}.]
   To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as
   under the laws of the United States; to take by
   pre["e]mption. [Also spelled {pre-empt}.]
   [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

35 Moby Thesaurus words for "preempt":
      accroach, adopt, annex, appropriate, arrogate, assume, colonize,
      commandeer, confiscate, conquer, enslave, expropriate, hog, indent,
      jump a claim, make free with, make use of, monopolize, occupy,
      overrun, preoccupy, prepossess, requisition, seize, sequester,
      sit on, squat on, subjugate, take, take all of, take it all,
      take over, take possession of, take up, usurp

[email protected]