preemptive

adjective

pre·emp·tive prē-ˈem(p)-tiv

: of or relating to preemption

: having power to preempt

of a bid in bridge : higher than necessary and intended to shut out bids by the opponents

: giving a stockholder first option to purchase new stock in an amount proportionate to his existing holdings

: marked by the seizing of the initiative : initiated by oneself

a preemptive attack

preemptively adverb

Examples of preemptive in a Sentence

The country took preemptive action against the perceived enemy. a preemptive attack by the army

Recent Examples on the Web

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But issuing preemptive pardons — for actual or imagined offenses by Trump’s critics that could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration — would stretch the powers of the presidency in untested ways. —

Zeke Miller and Colleen Long, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 Biden’s decision late last year to pardon his son Hunter Biden sparked speculation the president might issue preemptive pardons for allies ahead of the incoming Trump administration. —

Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2025 Regrets, precedent and legacy: 7 takeaways from Biden's exit interview Biden is still weighing preemptive pardons. —

Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 Biden Defends Pardoning Hunter Biden Biden’s consideration of preemptive pardons comes after the president has already pardoned his son Hunter Biden, whom Republicans have long targeted and who could have been investigated during a second Trump presidency. —

Alison Durkee, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for preemptive