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

Unfortunately, what follows is seldom retro-fitted with enough dramatic power to earn this preemptive closure. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2025

Noem has not said what would happen after that date, but immigration advocates and lawyers believe the rollback was a preemptive decision to eventually end TPS altogether. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025

As governor, Cuomo declared preemptive defeat in the drive for better bus service. —Betsy Plum, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025

And still others, eyes already on 2028, are quietly offering up preemptive justifications before the blame begins to settle. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 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