preempt
Take action to prevent something before it happens
Examples
In a meeting
“Let's preempt any concerns by addressing them in the presentation.”
Over coffee
“I called my mom to preempt her worrying about me.”
Why this word
prevent
Preempt means acting first to make something else impossible, prevent is broader about stopping outcomes
forestall
Preempt emphasizes taking priority position, forestall focuses on delaying or obstructing
head off
Preempt is formal and emphasizes strategic timing, head off is informal and less precise
Usage tip
Use when you're acting in advance to prevent an issue or secure an advantage
Etymology
Latin 'praeemere' — 'prae' (before) + 'emere' (buy, take)
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Related words
anticipate
To expect or predict something and prepare for it accordingly.
deter
To discourage someone from taking an action
proactive
Acting in advance to deal with expected situations
initiative
A new plan or action taken to achieve something
tentative
Not certain or fixed; provisional
sequence
To arrange things in a specific logical order