pre-emptiveadjective
uk/ˌpriːˈemp.tɪv/us/ˌpriːˈemp.tɪv/formalIf something is pre-emptive, it is done before other people can act, especially to prevent them from doing something else:
The Treasury has decided to raise interest rates as a pre-emptive measure against inflation.
The prime minister authorized a pre-emptive air strike against the rebels.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Unhelpful and Uncooperative
- awkward
- awkwardly
- deterrent
- foot
- it's every man for himself idiom
- man
- obstructionism
- obstructive
- passive-aggressive
- stifling
- stultifying
- uncooperative
- under your feet idiom
- unhelpful