Pre-emption could also be referred to as anticipation. It means taking action ahead of time to prevent the occurrence of something else. Other synonyms for pre-emption include prevention, interception, avoidance, preemptive strike, intervention, deterrence, obstruction, and hindrance. Pre-emption can also be used in the context of rights; for example, pre-emptive rights give shareholders the right to buy a company's new shares before they are offered to the public. In essence, pre-emption is a proactive approach to handling a situation, allowing individuals or groups to mitigate potential risks and maintain control over outcomes.