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Proactive vs Preemptive - What's the difference?

proactive | preemptive |

As adjectives the difference between preemptive and proactive

is that preemptive is of or relating to preemption while proactive is acting in advance to deal with an expected change or difficulty.

proactive

English

(wikipedia proactive)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Acting in advance to deal with an expected change or difficulty
    • We can deal with each problem as it pops up, or we can take a proactive stance and try to prevent future problems.

    Usage notes

    Some consider proactive to be a buzzword, and it is associated with business-speak.The good grammar guide, by Richard Palmer, 2003, p. 157 Depending on use, alternatives include active, or “show initiative” instead of “be proactive ”.

    Synonyms

    * anticipatory * forward-looking

    Antonyms

    * reactive

    Derived terms

    * proactively * proactivity * proactiveness

    Related terms

    * proact * proactor

    References

    * The Word Detective, Issue of February 5, 2001 ----

    preemptive

    English

    Alternative forms

    * * pre-emptive

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or relating to preemption.
  • Made so as to deter an anticipated unpleasant situation.
  • (bridge, of a high-level bid) Intended to interfere with an opponent's bidding.

    • Derived terms

    * preemptive strike * preemptively