prebuttal

American  

[pri-buht-l, pree-] / prɪˈbʌt l, pri- /

noun

1. an argument constructed in anticipation of a criticism.

   The alderman began his speech with a question-answer style prebuttal.

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prebuttal British  

/ priːˈbʌtəl /

noun

1. informal a prepared response to an anticipated criticism

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Etymology

Origin of prebuttal

First recorded in 1980–85; pre- + (re)buttal

Example Sentences

In a prebuttal video posted across his social media, Brand said he was about to face “very serious allegations that I absolutely refute,” without detailing them.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2023

Virginia had expected it might, and Warner’s office had emailed reporters a lengthy prebuttal of Maryland’s arguments before the delegation even gave them.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2023

Nunes, who had read Hill’s written testimony, delivered a prebuttal before she delivered it.

From Washington Post • Nov. 21, 2019

“The White House fully cooperated with the Special Counsel’s investigation, providing unfettered access to campaign and White House documents,” he said in his prebuttal press conference.

From The Guardian • Apr. 18, 2019

On Tuesday morning, Schumer took the unusual step of delivering a prebuttal to Trump’s speech from the floor of the Senate.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 6, 2019