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

Uncertainty around iPhone prices has boosted sales this year, as consumers have preemptively bought now to avoid potential price hikes in the future, Jefferies analyst Edison Lee wrote in an August note.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 7, 2026

Additionally, Nvidia will invest $1.5 billion into SB Energy, though the company preemptively pushed back on critiques about so-called circular financing, which has fueled fears about an AI bubble that will eventually burst.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

People have gotten so used to preemptively apologizing for what they like that their mea culpas feel as reflexive as a sneeze.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

In the run-up to Emmy nomination morning — and, honestly, at any other time of the year — you may have heard super-producer Taylor Sheridan preemptively flipping the bird at Emmy voters and critics.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

Dad preemptively turned up the volume on the TV.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram