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

At the same time, unsubstantiated rumors swirled on social media that alleged local schools were taking severe actions, such as preemptive school closures, mass suspensions, multi-day detentions and prohibiting students from walking at graduation. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026

With preemptive apologies to Charles Dickens, 2026 could be described as the best of times, and the worst of times, for commercial airlines. —Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026

In a preemptive move, more than 170 patient advocacy groups from 30 countries are urging Merck to create a global access strategy for an HIV prevention pill, which is still being studied in clinical trials. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026

Dweck noted that the ability to identify who would most benefit from preemptive intervention via lifestyle interventions or medications could ease women’s suffering and even prevent VMS. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 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