preemptive
or pre-emp·tive
[pree-emp-tiv]
- of or relating to preemption.
- taken as a measure against something possible, anticipated, or feared; preventive; deterrent: a preemptive tactic against a ruthless business rival.
- preempting or possessing the power to preempt; appropriative; privileged: a commander's preemptive authority.
- Bridge. pertaining to, involving, or noting an opening bid or an overcall in a suit that is at an unnecessarily high level and that is essentially a defensive maneuver designed to make communication between one's opponents more difficult: a preemptive bid; to give a preemptive response.
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Origin of preemptive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pre-emptive
Contemporary Examples
"My pre-emptive action of hand shaking was fruitless," Hatami said, explaining the kiss.
The sacking of Bo Xilai is a pre-emptive move to ensure that the liberal line prevails in China, not the statist model.
They are “in danger of committing pre-emptive superpower suicide out of a misplaced fear of declining power”.
In the last year alone, Allred has become the first name in pre-emptive Fembot litigation.
The Constitution allows the president to issue such a blanket, pre-emptive pardon.
Historical Examples
Many seem to think that theology has a pre-emptive right to dogmatism.
EvolutionJoseph Le Conte
Altogether 363 pre-emptive selections in respect of as many runs were made.
Our First Half-CenturyGovernment of Queensland
pre-emptive
- of, involving, or capable of pre-emption
- bridge (of a high bid) made to shut out opposition bidding
- military designed to reduce or destroy an enemy's attacking strength before it can use ita pre-emptive strike
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for pre-emptive
adj.
also preemptive, 1806, "pertaining to preemption;" from pre-emption + -ive. Specifically of an attack on an enemy who is plotting his own attack, 1958, a term from the Cold War. Related: Pre-emptively; preemptively.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper