preempted
Acted before another
Preempted is the past tense of preempt, meaning to take action before someone else can, thereby preventing them from acting or making their action unnecessary.
Television programs are preempted when breaking news or special broadcasts replace their scheduled time slots.
More broadly, if you preempt something, you forestall it by acting first: The company preempted criticism by releasing the data themselves.
The word carries a sense of strategic timing—acting early to gain advantage or prevent an outcome.
Prevented from succeeding
- avertedPrevented from occurring
- obviatedPrevented by anticipation
- circumventedEvaded by going around
- precludedPrevented in advance
blocked · headed off · intercepted · foiled · stymied · impeded · deterred · counteracted
Caused disorder in
- cut-offSeparated or terminated
- haltedCame to rest
- usurpedSeized authority illegally
- supplantedDisplaced by another
displaced · superseded · overridden · replaced · bumped · sidelined · broadcast · scheduled
Bypassed at the flanks
- outmaneuveredDefeated through superior tactics
- undercutSell cheaper than rivals
- bypassedWent around an obstacle
- sidesteppedAvoided by moving aside
anticipated · calculated · tactical · maneuvered · positioned · countered · beat to the punch · got ahead of
Measure preventing disease or harm
- precautionaryDone to prevent harm
- proactiveActing before problems arise
- anticipatoryFeeling or showing expectation
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
protective · safeguarding · first strike · countermeasure · deterrent · forestalling · preparatory · contingency
thwarted
Prevented from succeeding
- avertedPrevented from occurring
- obviatedPrevented by anticipation
- circumventedEvaded by going around
precluded · blocked · headed off · intercepted · foiled · stymied · impeded · deterred · counteracted · diverted
disrupted
Caused disorder in
supplanted · displaced · superseded · overridden · replaced · bumped · sidelined · broadcast · scheduled · programming
outflanked
Bypassed at the flanks
- outmaneuveredDefeated through superior tactics
- undercutSell cheaper than rivals
- bypassedWent around an obstacle
sidestepped · anticipated · calculated · tactical · maneuvered · positioned · countered · beat to the punch · got ahead of
prophylactic
Measure preventing disease or harm
- precautionaryDone to prevent harm
- proactiveActing before problems arise
- anticipatoryFeeling or showing expectation
defensive · protective · safeguarding · first strike · countermeasure · deterrent · forestalling · preparatory · contingency
preemptedallowed
Granted permission to proceed
permitted · let · enabled · authorized · sanctioned
- preemptive strikeAttack to forestall aggression
- preemptive warAttacking an anticipated aggressor first