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

And even with an involved father, mothers continue to carry the invisible mental load of the family, an unseen burden of data, obligations and preemptive planning tasks. — Megan Kuykendoll, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026

The ceremony was initially supposed to take place before Saturday’s matchup with the Orioles, but the region’s incoming nor’easter forced a preemptive cancelation of that game. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

There was some preemptive dismissive talk about hair length, teen hysteria, the lowering of standards. — George Saunders, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026

Recalibrating for preemptive cybersecurity requires security leaders not only to train their team members in these new methods but to make sure their tools and technology are aligned accordingly to support a successful transition. — Chris Dimitriadis, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 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