preemptive

Or pre-emp·tive

[pree-emp-tiv]

adjective

1. of or relating to preemption.

2. taken as a measure against something possible, anticipated, or feared; preventive; deterrent.

   a preemptive tactic against a ruthless business rival.

3. preempting or possessing the power to preempt; appropriative; privileged.

   a commander's preemptive authority.

4. 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.

Other Word Forms

• preemptively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of preemptive¹

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

Example Sentences

The government civil defence department said Sunday that nearly 1,200,000 people had been preemptively evacuated ahead of the approaching typhoon.

Read more on Barron's

Rescue work was suspended and preemptive evacuations began Saturday as Typhoon Fung-wong bore down on the Philippines, days after another storm killed at least 204 people.

Read more on Barron's

“But the preemptive strike in the whole thing was Mike and the walk, which was huge. He set the whole table for us.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As you may have surmised, the Columbia Compromise is a preemptive, non-negotiated capitulation in advance to MAGA-style tyranny, in hopes of maintaining a semblance of independence while fending off an all-out assault.

Read more on Salon

Raab’s boss was sold, and instructed her to “take the novel off the table” in a preemptive deal that would prevent other publishers from bidding.

Read more on Los Angeles Times