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
What's needed is a shift toward preemptive digital integrity that secures content from the moment it's created.
—
Jason Crawforth, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The company made a preemptive offer meant to suppress any competition, prompting a whirlwind round of dealmaking, according to sources.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
This gave a head start to the teams in actual preemptive repair execution on the ground, saving valuable manhours of efforts.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for preemptive
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Jason Crawforth, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The company made a preemptive offer meant to suppress any competition, prompting a whirlwind round of dealmaking, according to sources.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
This gave a head start to the teams in actual preemptive repair execution on the ground, saving valuable manhours of efforts.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for preemptive
Cite this Entry
“Preemptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preemptive. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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preemptive
adjective
pre·emp·tive
prē-ˈemp-tiv
: of or relating to preemption
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