pre-emptive strike
collocation in Englishmeaningsofpre-emptiveandstrike
These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withstrike.
pre-emptive
adjective
uk/ˌpriːˈemp.tɪv/us/ˌpriːˈemp.tɪv/
If something is pre-emptive, it is done before other people can act, especially to prevent them from doing ...
See more atpre-emptive
strike
noun[C]
uk/straɪk/us/straɪk/
a period of time when workers refuse to work because of an argument with an employer about working conditions, pay levels, or ...
See more atstrike
(Definition ofpre-emptiveandstrikefrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)
Examplesofpre-emptive strike
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Thomas's actions are, in any case, much more understandable as a reaction than as apre-emptivestrikeof some sort.
From theCambridge English Corpus
We are experiencing a clearly orchestratedpre-emptivestrike.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
If they did so, would he regard that as almost apre-emptivestrike?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Indeed, one of the great dangers last weekend was the fears of one side of apre-emptivestrikeby the other.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I agree that the notion of apre-emptivestrikeis a problematic doctrine that most of us would not rush to embrace.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
What is alarming about the notion of apre-emptivestrikeis that it was introduced without any debate or discussion in the international community.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is wrong to suggest that we are making apre-emptivestrike.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is a classicpre-emptivestrikein the true panzer sense.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
By their very nature, land-based launching platforms are more vulnerable and could perhaps invite apre-emptivestrikeon the area wherever they are sited.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There is no moral reason for apre-emptivestrikeagainst a nation state that affords no immediate and direct threat to ourselves or our allies.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
In this case, too, we should base our security on a concept of deterrence, not on apre-emptivestrike.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
You have taught them the importance of thepre-emptivestrike.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I believe that anypre-emptivestrikewould be extreme folly.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There was no question whatsoever of apre-emptivestrike.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The idea of apre-emptivestrike, which has been mentioned, is a grey area and does not have the force of international law.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
When apre-emptivestrikeis made against another country, it implies an absolute disregard for international law.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is most worrying that he now feels entitled to promote a new doctrine; thepre-emptivestrike.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There, they did their best to reassure us and to explain why they would not make "apre-emptivestrike" against our national treasures.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
But we do object to a referendum that is intended as apre-emptivestrikeagainst proper parliamentary debate.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It will be an encouragement to both sides to indulge in apre-emptivestrike.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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Go to the definition ofpre-emptive
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See other collocations withstrike