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

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Thursday’s decision by the BSP was predicted by all 12 economists polled by The Wall Street Journal, in large part as a pre-emptive move to cushion the economy against the fallout from a corruption scandal.

From The Wall Street Journal

In July, pre-emptive vaccination permission brought Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

From BBC

“Whether today’s move was pre-emptive and designed to neutralize an activist attack is a question best put to Folliard and his advisors,” added Bilson.

From Barron's

There is plenty of material to work with: incidents of witness intimidation and jury tampering; pre-emptive settlement offers climbing to eight figures; and even the recent California wildfires, which disrupt the lives of all concerned.

From The Wall Street Journal