preempting
Beating someone there
Preempting is acting in advance to prevent something or claim priority over it.
A network preempts regular programming to broadcast breaking news.
A military strike preempts an enemy attack by striking first.
In conversation, to preempt someone is to speak before they can: She preempted his objection by addressing it immediately.
The word implies strategic anticipation—acting before circumstances force your hand.
Stopping before occurrence
- avertingPreventing by action
- thwartingObstructing intended outcomes
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- stoppingCeasing to continue
intercepting · nipping · precluding · obviating · circumventing · deterring · inhibiting · counteracting
Preventing by prior action
- anticipatingExpecting something to happen
- foreseeingPerceiving future events
- expectingAwaiting a predicted outcome
- predictingStating future outcomes
forecasting · projecting · envisioning · extrapolating · calculating · estimating · forethought · prevision
Attacking from the side
- counteringActing in opposition
- checkmatingWinning move in chess
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
tactically · strategically · countermove · initiative · flanking · intercepting · blocking · defensive
Forcibly taking another's place
- replacingPutting a substitute in
- supersedingReplacing with something newer
- usurpingSeizing without authority
- displacingRemoving from position
overriding · commandeering · appropriating · bumping · gazumping · scooping · outmaneuvering
Superior rank or importance
- front-runningLeading a competition early
- reservingSetting something aside beforehand
- claimingDeclaring to be true
- stakingRisking something valuable
preventing
Stopping before occurrence
stopping · intercepting · nipping · precluding · obviating · circumventing · deterring · inhibiting · counteracting · neutralizing
forestalling
Preventing by prior action
- anticipatingExpecting something to happen
- foreseeingPerceiving future events
- expectingAwaiting a predicted outcome
predicting · forecasting · projecting · envisioning · extrapolating · calculating · estimating · forethought · prevision · presaging
outflanking
Attacking from the side
- counteringActing in opposition
- checkmatingWinning move in chess
- positioningArranging in specific locations
maneuvering · tactically · strategically · countermove · initiative · flanking · intercepting · blocking · defensive · offensive
supplanting
Forcibly taking another's place
- replacingPutting a substitute in
- supersedingReplacing with something newer
- usurpingSeizing without authority
displacing · overriding · commandeering · appropriating · bumping · gazumping · scooping · outmaneuvering
precedence
Superior rank or importance
- front-runningLeading a competition early
- reservingSetting something aside beforehand
- claimingDeclaring to be true
staking · earmarking · securing · preordering · prebooking
- acting too soonjumping the gun, rushing, hasty decision, false start, impatience
- reservingbooking, holding, scheduling, earmarking, setting aside
- Replacement termsreplacing, supplanting, displacing, swap, switch
preemptingreacting
Giving a response
responding · retaliating · counteracting · following up · avenging
preemptingallowing
Granting permission to proceed
waiting · permitting · standing by · acquiescing · accepting
preemptinggiving way
Surrendering right of passage
ceding · deferring · yielding · stepping aside · conceding
- preemptive strikeAttack to forestall aggression
- preemptive warAttacking an anticipated aggressor first