preemptive self-defence

noun

The concept of an armed attack on another state, when not at war, on the belief that the other state represents a real attack threat. It differs from a preemptive strike which applies to states which are already at war.

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Meanings

nounpreemptive self-defence (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe concept of an armed attack on another state, when not at war, on the belief that the other state represents a real attack threat. It differs from a preemptive strike which applies to states which are already at war.
Cite this entry
APA

preemptive self-defence. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preemptive%20self-defence

MLA

“preemptive self-defence.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preemptive%20self-defence. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “preemptive self-defence,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preemptive%20self-defence.

Source: preemptive self-defence on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.