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second-strike

[ sek-uhnd-strahyk ]

adjective

  1. noting, pertaining to, or using nuclear forces capable of withstanding attack and retaliating after an adversary has launched a first strike.


second-strike

adjective

  1. (of a nuclear weapon) intended to be used in a counterattack in response to a nuclear attack
  2. (of a strategy) based on the concept of surviving an initial nuclear attack with enough nuclear weaponry to retaliate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • second strike noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of second-strike1

First recorded in 1960–65; second 1( def ) + strike (in the sense “military attack”
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Example Sentences

Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told the BBC that developments such as hypersonic missiles were making China reconsider its second-strike policy, forcing the expansion of its stockpile.

From BBC

“He is determined to operationalize his nuclear arsenal and is developing a credible second-strike capability.”

The weapons information “made an important contribution to the Chinese objective to maintain a second-strike capability and provided useful information for future designs,” the assessment said.

The weapons information “made an important contribution to the Chinese objective to maintain a second-strike capability and provided useful information for future designs,” the assessment said.

“Japan wanted to limit its defense spending and try not to acquire second-strike capability. But the situation surrounding us does not permit us to do that,” said Ichiro Fujisaki, former Japanese ambassador to the United States.

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