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

What's needed is a shift toward preemptive digital integrity that secures content from the moment it's created. —Jason Crawforth, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

The company made a preemptive offer meant to suppress any competition, prompting a whirlwind round of dealmaking, according to sources. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025

This gave a head start to the teams in actual preemptive repair execution on the ground, saving valuable manhours of efforts. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, is taking preemptive measures before any ICE agents or National Guard members are directed to come to the city. —Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 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