preemptive

adjective

pre·​emp·​tive prē-ˈem(p)-tiv 

1

a

: of or relating to preemption

b

: having power to preempt

2

of a bid in bridge : higher than necessary and intended to shut out bids by the opponents

3

: giving a stockholder first option to purchase new stock in an amount proportionate to his existing holdings

4

: marked by the seizing of the initiative : initiated by oneself

a preemptive attack

preemptively adverb

Examples of preemptive in a Sentence

The country took preemptive action against the perceived enemy.

a preemptive attack by the army

Recent Examples on the Web

Wednesday with the preemptive cancelations the airline was 83% on time because of the lower capacity. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

Pakistan has never adopted a similar policy and reserves the option of preemptive use. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

While some retailers considered passing on tariff costs directly, these preemptive sales offer a more positive approach. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled a new naval destroyer, claiming it as a significant advancement toward his goal of expanding the operational range and preemptive strike capabilities of his nuclear-armed military, state media said Saturday. —Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for preemptive

• exemptive
• redemptive

Legal Definition

preemptive

adjective

pre·​emp·​tive prē-ˈemp-tiv 

: of or relating to preemption