proactivity

American

[proh-ak-tiv-i-tee] / ˌproʊ ækˈtɪv ɪ ti /

Also proactiveness

noun

the act, characteristic, or habit of thinking and acting so as to prepare for, intervene in, or control expected events, especially negative or challenging ones; initiative.

Thanks again for your proactivity; you solved this problem before I even knew there was a problem!
In a fast-paced, multithreat online environment, proactivity and stability are the cornerstones of good cybersecurity strategy.

Etymology

Origin of proactivity

proactiv(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her proactivity is a quality that stands out.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

OK, but given all the proactivity … how were these recent issues missed?

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2024

For now, however, the grimmest of eventualities may have been avoided—all thanks to a mixture of luck and Icelandic proactivity.

From National Geographic • Dec. 19, 2023

As Alexa continues to struggle to keep users engaged, adding some proactivity to routines could make them more useful to more people.

From The Verge • Jul. 20, 2022

However, Adams said, the plan is less about punishment and more about proactivity.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023