pre-emptive

British  

/ prɪˈɛmptɪv /

adjective

1. of, involving, or capable of pre-emption

2. bridge (of a high bid) made to shut out opposition bidding

3. military designed to reduce or destroy an enemy's attacking strength before it can use it

   a pre-emptive strike

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Other Word Forms

• pre-emptively adverb

Example Sentences

Because of its small territory, Israel built its national security around a doctrine of "offensive defence", relying on pre-emptive, long-range strikes against enemy targets, she said.

From Barron's

If the situation de-escalates relatively quickly, the impact on Asia should be fairly limited but individual governments are nevertheless taking pre-emptive measures.

From The Wall Street Journal

CGS maintains an overweight rating on Malaysian banks, supported by prospects of earnings re-rating from pre-emptive provisions reversals, margin recovery in 2026 and expectations of higher dividend payout ratios across most banks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Way-marked pistes are generally protected by pre-emptive avalanche blasting, and their snow is flattened and compacted to further reduce the risk.

From BBC

“The odds of a pre-emptive Iranian strike are near zero,” Vaez said.

From The Wall Street Journal