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

Yet if Congress must approve preemptive strikes, the target of the strikes will be better prepared to defend (because of leaks that will certainly occur) and the result will cost American service personnel their lives. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025

But doing so would still take time—certainly enough time for a potential nuclear-armed aggressor such as Russia to carry out a preemptive conventional strike on enrichment sites and other development facilities. —Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

The poll comes after Trump ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites on June 21, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran, triggered by a preemptive Israeli strike. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025

Today's average consumer expects preemptive shipping, real-time package tracking and expedited returns. —Brandon Batchelor, Forbes.com, 23 June 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