preemptive strike

American  

noun

Military.

1. an attack against an enemy in response to an obvious threat of attack by that enemy: because preemptive strikes are prompted more by clearly imminent danger than by speculation, they generally are considered acceptable in international law.

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preemptive strike Cultural  

1. A first-strike attack with nuclear weapons carried out to destroy an enemy's capacity to respond. A preemptive strike is based on the assumption that the enemy is planning an imminent attack.

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Etymology

Origin of preemptive strike

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Israeli government officials called the move a "preemptive strike" in an emergency message to citizens.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2025

In his New Year’s Day address Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will strengthen his military’s preemptive strike, missile defense and retaliatory capabilities in response to the North Korean nuclear threat.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2023

Unlike a liquid-fuel missile, it does not need to be fueled in the open, where it is vulnerable to an adversary’s preemptive strike.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2023

Meir matched Syrian efforts by mobilizing Israel troops, but resisted a preemptive strike due to concerns that such an action would result in the U.S. withdrawing its support.

From National Geographic • Sep. 12, 2023

The next morning, as another thousand children between the ages of six and eighteen gathered at a church to march, Connor unleashed a furious preemptive strike.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson