pre-emptive

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• pre-emptively adverb

Example Sentences

At the expo, Kim threatened to take military measures to respond to a growing U.S. presence on the Korean Peninsula, accusing Washington of an arms buildup aimed at launching pre-emptive strikes.

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The Dallas telecom giant’s chief executive, John Stankey, called the deal “an opportunistic and pre-emptive asset acquisition.”

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In Liverpool Rachel Reeves seemed to be floating a pre-emptive argument ahead of possible tax rises in her November Budget.

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As commuters made their way home on the sweltering July evening, workers at the Park Avenue tower ran for their lives, barricading conference rooms with tables and sending loved ones pre-emptive goodbye messages.

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"I used pre-emptive force. I was in pain, exhausted and wanted to try the best I could to effect an arrest."

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