massive retaliation

American  

noun

1. a strategy of military counterattack that involves the use of nuclear weapons.

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massive retaliation Cultural  

1. The doctrine that the best way to deter aggression is to threaten a potential aggressor with devastation by atomic bombs (see also atomic bomb). See hawks and doves.)

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Etymology

Origin of massive retaliation

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, U.S. allies in the Middle East urged restraint, fearing a massive retaliation from Iran for which they were unprepared.

From The Wall Street Journal

Suddenly, America’s policy—which President Dwight Eisenhower called “massive retaliation”—seemed like a prescription for suicide.

From Slate

The group is said to be wary about triggering a massive retaliation inside Lebanon, one that would be harshly criticized by the country’s other political factions.

From Washington Times

In fact, in his 1957 book “Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy” future national security adviser and secretary of state Henry Kissinger proposed the concept of a “limited nuclear war” as an alternative to mutually destructive “massive retaliation.”

From Seattle Times

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said North Korea’s provocations are becoming “indiscriminative’” but that his country has massive retaliation capabilities that can deter actual North Korean assaults to some extent.

From Washington Times