preemptive

or pre-emp·tive

[pree-emp-tiv]

adjective

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.

Origin of preemptive

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; preempt + -ive

Related formspre·emp·tive·ly, adverb

Can be confusedperemptory preemptive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pre-emptive

Contemporary Examples of pre-emptive

"My pre-emptive action of hand shaking was fruitless," Hatami said, explaining the kiss.
The Kiss That Sent Iran Crazy and an Actress to Be Flogged in Public
IranWire
May 23, 2014
The sacking of Bo Xilai is a pre-emptive move to ensure that the liberal line prevails in China, not the statist model.
Bo Xilai’s Sacking Signals Showdown In China’s Communist Party
Rosemary Righter
March 15, 2012
They are “in danger of committing pre-emptive superpower suicide out of a misplaced fear of declining power”.
Credit for Cassandra, Cont'd.
David Frum
February 7, 2012
In the last year alone, Allred has become the first name in pre-emptive Fembot litigation.
Rise of the Fembots
Rebecca Dana
April 19, 2010
The Constitution allows the president to issue such a blanket, pre-emptive pardon.
Will Bush Pardon Himself?
Kenneth Roth
January 18, 2009

Historical Examples of pre-emptive

Many seem to think that theology has a pre-emptive right to dogmatism.
Evolution
Joseph Le Conte
Altogether 363 pre-emptive selections in respect of as many runs were made.
Our First Half-Century
Government of Queensland

British Dictionary definitions for pre-emptive

pre-emptive

adjective

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

Derived Formspre-emptively, adverb

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.