pre-empts
Acts before another
Pre-empts means to act before someone else can, thereby preventing or displacing their action.
A television network pre-empts regular programming to broadcast breaking news.
To pre-empt an argument is to address it before your opponent raises it.
The word carries a sense of strategic timing—seizing priority to gain advantage or forestall opposition: The company pre-empts competitors by filing patents early.
Prevent by prior action
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- foreseePredict future events
- predictDeclare future outcomes
- expectConsider likely to occur
head off · intercept · counter · obviate · avert · prevent · block · thwart
Superior rank or importance
- supersedeReplace something outdated
- overrideCancel by authority
- displaceRemove from proper position
- supplantReplace by force
trump · bump · right of way · queue jumping · primacy · seniority · preference · paramount
Defeat through superior tactics
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- tacticalStrategically planned
- positioningArranging in specific locations
proactive · foresight · planning · chess · calculation · advantage · mastermind · scheming
forestall
Prevent by prior action
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- foreseePredict future events
- predictDeclare future outcomes
expect · head off · intercept · counter · obviate · avert · prevent · block · thwart · stave off
precedence
Superior rank or importance
supplant · trump · bump · right of way · queue jumping · primacy · seniority · preference · paramount · dominant
outmaneuver
Defeat through superior tactics
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- tacticalStrategically planned
positioning · proactive · foresight · planning · chess · calculation · advantage · mastermind · scheming · contingency
pre-emptsreacts
Answers to stimulus
responds · follows · follows up · retaliates · counteracts
pre-emptswaits
Stays for something
hesitates · delays · procrastinates · holds back · sits back
pre-emptspermits
Grants formal authorization
allows · enables · facilitates · encourages · invites
preempt, preempts, preempted, preempting, preemption, preemptive, preemptively