How to pronounce preemptive
Say it like pree-EMP-tiv. Preemptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EMP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce preemptive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- EMP
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preemptive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- EMPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of preemptive
American and British speakers say preemptive in essentially the same way: /priˈɛmptɪv/ in the US and /priˈɛmptɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: pree-EMP-tiv.
What does preemptive mean?
- Made so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation.“a preemptive attack on the enemy”
- Intended to interfere with an opponent's bidding.
Where does preemptive come from?
From preempt + -ive.
Words that rhyme with preemptive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of preemptive.
Questions about saying preemptive
How do you pronounce preemptive?
Say pree-EMP-tiv. The American pronunciation is /priˈɛmptɪv/. In British English it is /priˈɛmptɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preemptive?
Preemptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EMP). Broken into parts: pree · EMP · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say preemptive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /priˈɛmptɪv/ and the British form is /priˈɛmptɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.