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
Blanket pardons, family pardons, preemptive pardons.
—
CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Since then, North Korea has conducted frequent tests and recently unveiled a new naval destroyer that Kim said would expand the reach and preemptive strike options of the country’s nuclear forces.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
On the flip, Baldoni and crew also seem intent in getting their day in court to disprove the actress’ allegations of misconduct during the production of the Sony distributed IEWU, and a preemptive online smear campaign that followed.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025
The former president also issued sweeping preemptive pardons for members of his family, including his two brothers and his sister.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preemptive
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CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Since then, North Korea has conducted frequent tests and recently unveiled a new naval destroyer that Kim said would expand the reach and preemptive strike options of the country’s nuclear forces.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025
On the flip, Baldoni and crew also seem intent in getting their day in court to disprove the actress’ allegations of misconduct during the production of the Sony distributed IEWU, and a preemptive online smear campaign that followed.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025
The former president also issued sweeping preemptive pardons for members of his family, including his two brothers and his sister.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preemptive
Cite this Entry
“Preemptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preemptive. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
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preemptive
adjective
pre·emp·tive
prē-ˈemp-tiv
: of or relating to preemption
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