preemptive strike

American  

noun

Military.

1. an attack against an enemy in response to an obvious threat of attack by that enemy: because preemptive strikes are prompted more by clearly imminent danger than by speculation, they generally are considered acceptable in international law.

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preemptive strike Cultural  

1. A first-strike attack with nuclear weapons carried out to destroy an enemy's capacity to respond. A preemptive strike is based on the assumption that the enemy is planning an imminent attack.

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Etymology

Origin of preemptive strike

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

“But the preemptive strike in the whole thing was Mike and the walk, which was huge. He set the whole table for us.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

As reformers worked in January 1975 to draft legislation that would have changed Idaho from an elected coroner system to one headed by a state medical examiner, funeral home directors organized a preemptive strike.

From Salon • Dec. 3, 2024

In his New Year’s Day address Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will strengthen his military’s preemptive strike, missile defense and retaliatory capabilities in response to the North Korean nuclear threat.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2023

When operated together with South Korea’s so-called three-axis system - preemptive strike, missile defense and retaliatory assets - experts say spy satellites will significantly boost the country’s defense against North Korea.

From Washington Times • Dec. 1, 2023

The next morning, as another thousand children between the ages of six and eighteen gathered at a church to march, Connor unleashed a furious preemptive strike.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson