preemptive

American  

[pree-emp-tiv] / priˈɛmp tɪv /

Or pre-emptive

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.

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Other Word Forms

• preemptively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of preemptive

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

Explanation

A preemptive action is made to keep some other action from being taken. Before you could be accused of eating the whole cake, you decided to make a preemptive apology, which was met with awkward silence. Tired of being disturbed by your roommate's loud music, your preemptive strike was to crank up your favorite opera as soon as you arrived home. Unfortunately, he'd already made a preemptive strike of his own by borrowing your stereo. Don't confuse preemptive with peremptory, a word meaning “arrogant.” You don't have to be arrogant to make a preemptive move, just cautious.

Example Sentences

"Preemptive, short-notice power shutoffs have to be coordinated with first responders, and in Lahaina, electricity powers some of the pumps that provide the water needed for firefighting," it said.

From Reuters • Aug. 18, 2023

Preemptive Forensic Health Solutions, the company that provided health services for the jail, never documented giving her antibiotics until the final day, after she was misdiagnosed with a urinary tract infection.

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2023

Preemptive or preventative war to disarm a nuclear adversary has been considered by American leaders many times before: by Eisenhower against the Soviet Union, by Johnson and Kennedy against Mao Zedong’s Red China.

From Time • Sep. 5, 2017

Preemptive policing though targeting low-level offenses is the hallmark of Bratton’s career.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2013

Preemptive penance and absolution were doctrines researched and developed by the Consistorial Court, but not known to the wider Church.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman