preemptive Definition
- 1serving or intended to preempt or forestall something, especially to prevent attack by disabling the enemy
- 2taken as a measure against something possible, anticipated, or feared; preventive; deterrent
Using preemptive: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "preemptive" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The preemptive strike was aimed at destroying the enemy's weapons before they could be used.
Example
The company took preemptive measures to avoid a financial crisis.
Example
The government issued a preemptive warning about the potential dangers of the storm.
preemptive Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for preemptive
Phrases with preemptive
an action taken to prevent something from happening, especially an attack or other hostile act
Example
The military launched a preemptive action against the enemy's forces.
preemptive strike
a military attack launched with the intention of preventing an anticipated attack from the enemy
Example
The country launched a preemptive strike against its neighbor to prevent an invasion.
the right of existing shareholders to buy new shares in a company before they are offered to the public
Example
The company's board of directors approved the issuance of new shares with preemptive rights for existing shareholders.
Origins of preemptive
from Latin 'praemptus', meaning 'bought beforehand'
Summary: preemptive in Brief
The term 'preemptive' [priːˈemptɪv] refers to actions taken to prevent something from happening, especially an attack or other hostile act. It can also mean taken as a measure against something possible, anticipated, or feared. Examples include 'The preemptive strike was aimed at destroying the enemy's weapons before they could be used.' and 'The company took preemptive measures to avoid a financial crisis.'
