preemptively

American  

[pree-emp-tiv-lee] / priˈɛmp tɪv li /

Or pre-emptively

adverb

1. before or in preference to other buyers, claimants, candidates, etc..

   TriStar has preemptively purchased the movie rights to Williams’ new novel, the sequel to her debut bestseller.

2. as a measure taken against something anticipated or feared; preventively.

   Knowing I’d be practicing piano for hours every day, I preemptively left polite notes for the upstairs and downstairs neighbors—with cookies attached—apologizing for the noise.

3. Bridge. (said of bidding) at an unnecessarily high level, as a defensive maneuver to make communication between one’s opponents more difficult.

   The more tricks you are certain of winning, given your hand, the higher the level at which you can bid preemptively.

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Etymology

Origin of preemptively

preemptive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preemptively

"We can preemptively screen different species and different tissues within them for susceptibility," said Kuchipudi.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026

Wardex doesn’t even bother to preemptively discredit Daniel in the public’s eye which, given the two sentences of backstory we know about his character, would be easy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

The local utility, Xcel Energy, preemptively cut power in the region as a result.

From Slate ● Dec. 18, 2025

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

From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2025

I notice he happily waves preemptively at the woman “gardening,” and she flails her arms back at the happiness of it all.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali