preemptively

USAGE SUMMARY

'preemptively' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb used to describe an action that is done in order to prevent something from happening or to gain an advantage over a potential opponent. For example, "The government took preemptive action to prevent the spread of the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was preemptively disappointed, setting out on the tandem for the mauve shadow of the hills, to know that I would in all likelihood see no newborn calves, that our adventure would have a different character to the adventure undertaken by my brother and my father.

The Guardian - Books

Attempts to preemptively prick in these cases are likely to miss the mark or overshoot.But in bank-orientated bubbles, the Fed is on the inside, and should have the ability to see that practices are getting out of hand.

The Economist

I never again tried to bind my future self by preemptively imposing a loss that my present self would have to scramble to recover simply because the option of relatively cost-free slacking feels to me like freedom, and I found the loss of that sense a bit suffocating.

The Economist

Opponents of the stimulus plan will be mocked and vilified in the media, even though they may very well have logic on their side.Is it really a good idea to throw needlessly disparaging, "mocking" comments at one's intellectual antagonists, even while preemptively accusing them of such behaviour?

The Economist

In non-bank bubbles, the Fed has had success with a mopping up strategy providing enough liquidity and support to avert disaster after the bubble has already popped.When bank lending is at the centre of a bubble, however, the when is different (the bank should act preemptively) but so is the how.

The Economist

The Israeli army has preemptively stepped up raids in the West Bank, detaining suspected militants and seizing ammunition caches.

The Economist

Paul Krugman is leading the charge yet again, and he's preemptively responding to a number of arguments against action on China but not mine.The issue is not whether a floating yuan would be, on balance, good for America.

The Economist

It may preemptively act to "prevent the bubble from getting out of hand", reining in credit and economic growth.

The Economist

The United Arab Emirates responded to the popular uprisings that swept through much of the Arab world in 2011 by preemptively tightening its control over political expression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In early December 2002, Australian Prime Minister John Howard called for review of the UN Charter to consider new international legal norms to deal preemptively with terrorist attacks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When, in 2002, the United States formally announced a willingness to employ force preemptively against threats to its national security, more than one observer supposed this had something to do with nuclear proliferation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preemptively" when you want to emphasize the proactive nature of an action taken to prevent a potential negative outcome. This highlights foresight and readiness.

Common error

Avoid using "preemptively" when the action is simply done early, rather than specifically to thwart a potential problem. Using a simpler adverb like "early" or "beforehand" might be more fitting.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "preemptively" modifies verbs, indicating that an action is taken in advance to prevent a potential issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and well-supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

19%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Books

2%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preemptively" is a versatile adverb that signifies taking action in advance to prevent something undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig's examples reveal its frequent use in news, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When writing, use "preemptively" to underscore foresight and strategic intent, but avoid it when describing actions that are simply done early. Remember alternatives such as "proactively" or "preventively" might be more fitting depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preventively

Directly relates to preventing something from occurring.

proactively

Indicates taking initiative to prevent problems.

as a preventive measure

Emphasizes the action is taken to avert something undesirable.

to forestall

Suggests blocking or preventing something by taking action first.

in anticipation

Focuses on acting because something is expected to happen.

to avert

Implies turning away or preventing an undesirable outcome.

ahead of time

Highlights the temporal aspect of acting before something else.

beforehand

A simple way to indicate acting earlier.

in advance

Stresses preparation before an event.

in readiness

Implies preparing for something that might occur.

FAQs

How can I use "preemptively" in a sentence?

Use "preemptively" to describe an action taken to prevent something from happening. For example, "The company "preemptively" addressed the security flaw before any breaches occurred."

What's a good alternative to "preemptively"?

Alternatives include "proactively", "preventively", or "in advance", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "preemptively"?

Yes, it's incorrect if the action isn't specifically aimed at preventing a potential issue. Use a different word if the action is simply done early or beforehand.

What is the difference between "preemptively" and "proactively"?

"Preemptively" often implies acting to ward off a specific threat, while "proactively" suggests taking initiative more generally.