preventive war

SEE SYNONYMS FOR preventive war ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Military.

an attack against a possible enemy to prevent an attack by that enemy at a later time.
Also called preemptive strike.

Origin of preventive war

First recorded in 1630–40

Words nearby preventive war

preventive dentistry, preventive detention, preventive law, preventive medicine, preventive treatment, preventive war, preverb, preverbal, prevertebral ganglia, preview, preview monitor