preempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking action in order to prevent something from happening or to take the place of something else. Example: "The government decided to preempt the potential crisis by implementing new regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As if to preempt any outcry, the building now bears a sign in five languages declaring: "There is no proof that prophet Muhammad was born in this place, so it is forbidden to make this place specific for praying, supplicating or get blessing".

The Guardian - Arts

Clearly this reaction could have been foreseen, and it certainly appears as if nothing has been done to preempt and mitigate it.This plan might be the best option, but the administration has manifestly not made the case that it is, and that's a problem.

The Economist

To preempt this, Israel concentrated most of its counterterrorist activities against Hamas, assassinating most of its top leaders cofounder Sheik Ahmed Yassin (see Obituaries) on March 22, Abdel Aziz Rantisi on April 17, the Syria-based Subhi Khalil on September 26, and Adnan al-Ghoul, the reported "father of the Qassam rocket," on October 21.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Germans launched a violent offensive on December 6 in an attempt to preempt the French assault and captured Hill 304.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This largely symbolic motion, which passed, was designed to preempt a more extreme one planned by the separatist Bloc Québécois.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Across the Zambezi, where the British were anxious to preempt European rivals, Rhodes engaged the newly appointed British consul for Malawi and Mozambique, Harry (later Sir Harry Johnstonn, to establish his company's claims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To preempt a potentially dangerous escalation, Clinton summoned Arafat and Netanyahu to the Wye Plantation and exerted heavy pressure on both.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From the early 1920s the South African government, seeking to preempt black radicalism, attempted to provide channels for the expression of African grievances through a variety of local consultative councils.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Israel responded with a policy of "targeted killings," arguing that the only way to preempt the bombers was to assassinate the men planning to send them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Netanyahu and Obama seemed to resolve their differences in a crucial meeting on July 6, with Netanyahu having convinced the president that he was ready to make major concessions for peace and Obama having convinced the prime minister of his determination to preempt Iran's nuclear program.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a bid to attract international support, Portugal opened the colonies to foreign investment in 1963, and by the late 1960s the regime also instituted modest economic and educational reforms to preempt the nationalists and meet rising demands for a semiskilled workforce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preempt" when you want to convey a proactive approach to preventing something, especially when you take action to displace or supersede an anticipated event or action. For example: "The company decided to "preempt" the competitor's product launch by releasing their own version earlier."

Common error

Avoid using "preempt" when you mean to "prompt". "Preempt" means to prevent or take precedence, while "prompt" means to encourage or cause something to happen. For instance, it's incorrect to say, "The speaker's remarks "preempted" a lively discussion" when you actually mean "The speaker's remarks prompted a lively discussion".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "preempt" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of taking action to prevent something from happening, or to displace something else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

36%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preempt" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of preventing or displacing something, often through proactive measures. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, indicating it's a valuable term for expressing the anticipation and avoidance of potential issues. The word is frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific contexts, signifying its broad applicability and relatively formal tone. While alternatives like "prevent" or "forestall" exist, "preempt" specifically highlights taking initiative to negate or supersede an expected event. Be sure to avoid confusing it with "prompt", which has a different meaning. The high source quality and consistent usage patterns reinforce the reliability and appropriateness of "preempt" in various writing and speaking scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent

A general term for stopping something from occurring.

forestall

Similar in meaning, but often implies taking action to prevent something negative from happening.

avert

Focuses on turning away or preventing a disaster or negative outcome.

preclude

Suggests making something impossible beforehand.

obviate

Highlights removing the necessity or need for something.

anticipate

Focuses on foreseeing and acting in advance of an event.

counteract

Emphasizes acting against something to reduce its effect.

head off

Suggests stopping someone or something by intercepting them.

intercept

Implies stopping something in transit or before it reaches its destination.

nullify

Highlights making something invalid or ineffective before it has an effect.

FAQs

How can I use "preempt" in a sentence?

You can use "preempt" to indicate taking action to prevent something from happening or to take the place of something else. For example, "The government decided to "preempt" the potential crisis by implementing new regulations."

What are some alternatives to "preempt"?

You can use alternatives like "prevent", "forestall", or "anticipate" depending on the context.

What does it mean to "preempt" a question?

To "preempt" a question means to address it before it's even asked, often by anticipating the question and providing the answer in advance. This can be a useful strategy in presentations or discussions to avoid interruptions or clarify potential confusion.

Is "preempt" a formal word?

"Preempt" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it may sound slightly more formal than alternatives like "prevent", it's widely understood and acceptable in various types of writing and speech.