proactively

American  

[proh-ak-tiv-lee] / proʊˈæk tɪv li /

adverb

1. in advance and in order to prepare for, intervene in, or control an expected occurrence, especially a negative or challenging one.

   I’m glad to be working with an IT company that's proactively strategizing for the future instead of reacting to yesterday's issues.

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Etymology

Origin of proactively

proactive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

While preparing for a threat of uncertain magnitude is challenging, major institutions are proactively updating their defenses.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Montgomery said EPA officials would proactively reach out to property owners whose lots had lead levels above the federal benchmark of 200 milligrams per kilogram.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

They say Article 9, written in the aftermath of defeat, is too restrictive, and that Japan must be able to deter aggression, support allies, and respond proactively to crises in the region.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Employees have to actively opt out to leave the program, rather than proactively opt in.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

One can cautiously make the case that the major political documents of the past were conceived in reaction to an intolerable state of affairs and events, not proactively, in anticipation of new situations and expectations.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai