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.

---

Etymology

Origin of asymmetric warfare

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

“It’s a good tool of asymmetric warfare,” said Jahangir E. Arasli, a senior research fellow at Baku, Azerbaijan-based Institute for Development and Diplomacy who specializes in maritime threats.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iran's naval crews have focussed much of their training on unconventional or "asymmetric" warfare, looking at ways to overcome or bypass the technical advantages enjoyed by their primary adversary, the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

From BBC

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