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.
An International Atomic Energy Agency report declared Iran was not in compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations shortly before Israel’s massive preemptive strike against the country. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025 Mossad gives rare glimpse at its operations inside Iran The Mossad published footage of its operatives carrying out covert actions inside Iran prior to Israel's preemptive attack. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025 Fearing that Iran’s decadeslong nuclear enrichment program was geared toward development of a nuclear weapon, Israel has long considered carrying out a preemptive strike. Shoshanna Solomon, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025 Kagan cited the preemptive incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II as an example of a presidential action that was at the time endorsed by the courts but later widely deemed both unconstitutional and morally wrong. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 June 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 Jun. 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!