English pronunciation · Words Starting with P

Preemptively Pronunciation

Preemptively is pronounced pree-EMP-tiv-lee, IPA /priˈɛmptɪvli/.

pree-EMP-tiv-lee

US /priˈɛmptɪvli/

Syllables: pree · EMP · tiv · lee (4 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

adverb: In a way that acts first in order to stop something from happening.

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Preemptively in a Sentence

  • They preemptively booked the hall before the dates filled up.
  • The company preemptively recalled the batch after two complaints.
  • She preemptively apologised for the noise the builders would make.

Common Mispronunciations of Preemptively

Not PREE-emp-tiv-lee

The beat sits on the second syllable, on emp. Front-stressing is tempting because pre- looks like a prefix worth leaning on, but here it is a quick run-up.

Not pri-EMP-shuh-vlee

There is no sh sound in this word. The -tively ending keeps a plain t, as in relatively and actively.

Tip: Say the two e vowels separately, pree then emp. They never merge into one sound.

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