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

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

After the shooting, First Lady Melania Trump called for more preemptive interventions to stop potential shooters. —Curt Devine, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025

But by the time that happens, some of the preemptive cuts may not be possible to recover. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2025

In service of that goal, the government has abandoned due process in favor of media warfare, preemptive declarations of guilt and freezes on billions in critical federal funding. —Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 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