asymmetric warfare

American  

Or asymmetrical warfare

noun

1. warfare in which opposing groups or nations have unequal military resources, and the weaker opponent uses unconventional weapons and tactics, as terrorism, to exploit the vulnerabilities of the enemy.

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Etymology

Origin of asymmetric warfare

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Taiwan has responded to the growing pressure by increasing defence spending on smaller and more nimble weaponry to enable its military to wage asymmetric warfare against more powerful Chinese forces.

From Barron's

Asymmetric warfare may be neutralized, until something else comes along.

From The Wall Street Journal

Belligerents need to win the media battle in an age of asymmetric warfare where victory or defeat can rely on perceptions as much as the realities of battle.

From BBC

The U.S. has been pushing Taiwan to develop asymmetric warfare strategies by investing in smaller and lighter weapons such as the reduced-size submarine.

From Washington Times

But its completion marks an important milestone in Taiwan’s strategy of adopting asymmetric warfare.

From Seattle Times