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

"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

I do not envy anyone who has found themselves in a position where they feel the need to preemptively head off charges of idolatry.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

Kalshi said March 23 it was launching “new technological guardrails that preemptively block politicians, athletes and other relevant people from trading in certain politics and sports markets.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Dad preemptively turned up the volume on the TV.

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