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Preemptive: meaning, definitions and examples

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preemptive

 

[ prɪˈɛm(p)tɪv ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

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.
Context #2 | Adjective

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.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,508, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.