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

Abbott has taken preemptive action against the New World screwworm threat by directing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to establish a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Team. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Proximity to the president is seen by some advisors as the surest inoculation — preemptive compliance (see Apple or Chevron) can forestall an abrupt reaction from the administration. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Lanham also advises shifting your mindset about workplace relationships as a preemptive move. —Essence, 26 Jan. 2026

Is such preemptive action necessary? —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 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