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proactively

proactively

13 4.4
Taking action before a problem happens to prevent it
  • adverb
  • /proʊˈæktɪvli/
translation icon : proactivamente
  • To avoid future conflicts, she took the initiative to proactively address the team's concerns.
  • proactively address
  • proactively promote
  • proactively engage

You cannot, you cannot proactively foresee every single issue.

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Examples

  • The report found that high-impact schools proactively worked to prepare students for graduation and focused on academics.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The aim of the campus Education Committee is to proactively prevent illegal behavior.

    Academic text (2006)
  • First step is to target the people that you want and proactively go after them.

  • But we can change that by proactively being present with our mind and body.

  • You are going to have to proactively make college the time of your life.

  • You now have three months to work proactively toward the next application cycle.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Future technology education facilities must be designed proactively, with the potential for change in mind.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Academic programs can predict and proactively influence future professional needs rather than just respond to current job responsibilities.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In addition, each of the mothers was proactively involved in the child's education.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Administrators will be able to proactively address potential problems and issues before they lead to discouragement and frustration.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

preemptively
vsproactively
  • US
8 6.3

Before something happens, to stop it or get an advantage

takes early action to make things happen or avoid issues

Antonyms

1 5.3

In a way that responds to events after they happen instead of before

How Proactive

proactively
13 4.4
responsively
  • Specialized
4.5
reactively
1 5.3
passively
18 3.7

Surface Forms

proactively positive

Morphology

proactively = proactive (transparent) = pro + active + ly

Forming the adverb by adding '-ly' to 'proactive' is straightforward, but 'proactive' itself is analyzable as 'pro-' + 'active' with a slight lexicalized meaning shift, so the immediate base is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The word proactively comes from the parts pro- ('before') and active ('doing'), so it literally means 'doing things before they happen'. That is why to act proactively is to take steps in advance to make things happen or to stop problems before they start.