Of or relating to preemption. / Made so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation. / (bridge, of a high-level bid) Intended to interfere with an opponent's bidding.

in a preemptive manner

An attack launched as a defensive measure.

plural of preemptive strike

(law) The right of shareholders to maintain a constant percentage of a company's shares by receiving a proportionate fraction of any new shares issued, thus preempting any dilution

plural of preemptive right

The concept of an armed attack on another state, when not at war, on the belief that the other state represents a real attack threat. It differs from a preemptive strike which applies to states which are already at war.