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

Going after Siebel Newsom seems more like a forward-looking, preemptive strike targeting Newsom ahead of the 2028 election through every decent man’s Achilles’ heel, his family. —Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Different lenders will have different responses to today's surging inflation rate, while preemptive adjustments before the Fed's June meeting also have the potential to drive rates upward or downward. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Vital Infrastructure Under Threat Iran has inconsistently claimed that strikes on water infrastructure would only be done in kind, while at other times threatening preemptive action against Arab states that are too supportive of the USA and Israel. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

In a preemptive effort to remedy the situation, Bills said the council had compiled all correspondence and questionnaires for the candidates and will be releasing it to the public. —Noah Daly june 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2026

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