preemptive en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /pɹiːˈɛmp.tɪv/
- (US) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree English preemptionbf. English preempt Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Old French -ifbor. Middle English -yf English -ive English preemptive From preempt + -ive.
Meanings
-
Of, relating to, or imposing preemption. ▸ Made so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation.
The practice of self-censorship serves as a preemptive measure to avoid direct censorship or persecution when governments in autocratizing countries tighten their grip.
2026, “Unraveling The Democratic Era?”, in V-Dem Institute, archived from the original on 17 Mar 2026, page 13:Extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws, sometimes known as gun violence restraining order or "red-flag" laws, are risk-based, temporary, and preemptive protective orders that authorize the removal of firearms from individuals determined to be at risk for committing gun violence against others or themselves. With ERPO laws in place, law enforcement, family members, or medical professionals can petition a court to temporarily restrict a person's access to firearms if they believe that person is at risk of hurting him or herself or others.
2023 January 10, “The Effects of Extreme Risk Protection Orders”, in RAND Corporation, archived from the original on 25 Apr 2025:a preemptive attack on the enemy
- (of a high-level bid) Of, relating to, or imposing preemption. ▸ Intended to interfere with an opponent's bidding.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| præemptive | alternative, archaic | lexicographic | |
| most preemptive | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| preëmptive | alternative | lexicographic | |
| more preemptive | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| pre-emptive | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
preemptive strike · preemptive right · preemptive self-defence · preemptively · preemptive therapy · nonpreemptive
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (13)
pt preventivo (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · es cautelar (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · de vorbeugend (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · fr préemptif (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · pt preventivo (of or relating to preemption) · es preemptivo (of or relating to preemption) · fr préemptif (of or relating to preemption) · fa پیشدستانه (of or relating to preemption) · yue 先發制人嘅 /先发制人嘅 (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · fa پیشدستانه (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · es preemptivo (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · it preventivo (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation) · fr préventif (so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation)