preemptive

adjective

pre·​emp·​tive prē-ˈem(p)-tiv How to pronounce preemptive (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s a situation in which both sides of a potential conflict fear being attacked first, leading them to consider — and possibly launch — a preemptive strike to avoid being caught off guard. Robert A. Pape, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025 Then there are the calls for judges’ heads, the preemptive accusations of electoral fraud, and the now all-too-familiar spectacle of a wild-eyed right-wing mob ransacking federal buildings after their guy Jair Bolsonaro lost the country’s presidential election. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 July 2025 Also, a preemptive strike on an American satellite worth $1 billion or more could be seen as an act of war. Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025 There’s increasing Medicare costs to think about and, though both are currently healthy, preemptive medical care and other checkups to consider. Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for preemptive

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of preemptive was in 1855

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preemptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preemptive. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

preemptive

adjective
pre·​emp·​tive prē-ˈemp-tiv How to pronounce preemptive (audio)
: of or relating to preemption

More from Merriam-Webster on preemptive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!