preventive war

noun

, Military.

1. an attack against a presumed enemy to prevent a possible attack by that enemy at a later time: because preventive wars are prompted more by speculation than by clearly imminent danger, they generally are considered unacceptable in international law.

Word History and Origins

Origin of preventive war¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

George W. Bush successfully pushed preventive war over deterrence, which led to disasters like Iraq.

From The Daily Beast

Others, again, went so far as to describe our action merely as the starting point of a preventive war against Russia.

From Project Gutenberg

Preventive war was recommended by General Bernhardi and other illustrious patriots.

From Project Gutenberg

Until the end of the crisis, the idea of a preventive war continually recurred to my mind.

From Project Gutenberg