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
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
But this week, let’s fire off a preemptive strike with a look at five of the best first-round matchups we could be headed towards.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for preemptive
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Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2026
But this week, let’s fire off a preemptive strike with a look at five of the best first-round matchups we could be headed towards.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for preemptive
Cite this Entry
“Preemptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preemptive. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
preemptive
adjective
pre·emp·tive
prē-ˈemp-tiv
: of or relating to preemption
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