adjective
preemptive
pree-EHMP-tihv
adjective
1
Done in advance to stop something bad from happening, or to gain an advantage before someone else can act.
"The company launched a preemptive strike against its rival's new product with an early price cut."
"Doctors sometimes give a preemptive dose of painkillers before a procedure."
How to Use Preemptive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActing first, before a problem or threat has a chance to develop.
Common pairings
preemptive strike
preemptive measure
preemptive action
Word Forms
more preemptive comparative, most preemptive superlative
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The company launched a _____ strike against its rival's new product with an early price cut.
Etymology
From preempt plus the adjective-forming suffix -ive.