Preemptive: meaning, definitions and examples
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preemptive
[ prɪˈɛm(p)tɪv ]
military strategy
Done as a measure to prevent something from happening or as a precautionary step, usually referring to military actions taken before an enemy attack.
Synonyms
precautionary, preventive, proactive
Examples of usage
- Preemptive strikes are often controversial in international relations.
- The country took preemptive action to protect its borders.
- The preemptive attack caught the enemy by surprise.
general
Anticipating a situation and taking action before it occurs, usually to gain an advantage or avoid a negative consequence.
Synonyms
anticipatory, precautionary, prophylactic
Examples of usage
- His preemptive decision to invest in the new technology paid off handsomely.
- She made a preemptive apology to smooth things over before the conflict escalated.
Translations
Translations of the word "preemptive" in other languages:
🇵🇹 preventivo
🇮🇳 पूर्वव्यापी
🇩🇪 präventiv
🇮🇩 pencegahan
🇺🇦 упереджувальний
🇵🇱 zapobiegawczy
🇯🇵 予防の
🇫🇷 préventif
🇪🇸 preventivo
🇹🇷 önleyici
🇰🇷 예방의
🇸🇦 وقائي
🇨🇿 preventivní
🇸🇰 preventívny
🇨🇳 预防性的
🇸🇮 preventiven
🇮🇸 fyrirbyggjandi
🇰🇿 алдын ала
🇬🇪 პრევენციული
🇦🇿 önləyici
🇲🇽 preventivo
Word origin
The word 'preemptive' originated from the Latin word 'praemunire', meaning 'to anticipate'. It first appeared in the mid-19th century and gained popularity in military and strategic contexts. The concept of preemptive action has been debated in various fields, from warfare to business, as a means of avoiding threats or gaining an advantage.