preemptive

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /pɹiːˈɛmp.tɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #32677

Meanings

1

adj
designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence

A preemptive business offer.
2

adj
Made so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation.

A preemptive attack on the enemy.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · designed or having the... pre-emptive

Opposites

postemptive

Word family

Derived forms nonpreemptiveprebuttalpreemptively

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

preemptive right
a shareholder's first opportunity to buy newly issued shares before others

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From preempt + -ive.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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