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 the stockholder's 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

The book reckons honestly with this preemptive loss and the guilt any thinking person may feel for having contributed to the planet’s destruction. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Syria carried out nationwide preemptive operations targeting Islamic State cells in the days before the talks in Washington, the Syrian government said at the time. —Jasper Ward, USA Today, 30 Nov. 2025

Honduras on Sunday will hold general elections marked by preemptive allegations of voting fraud and an intervention by the United States. —Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025

On Monday, the same panel will vote on the preemptive arrest order. —Arkansas Online, 24 Nov. 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