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 • Jan. 20, 2026

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 • Nov. 13, 2023

Most have arrived since August 2017 when attacks by Rohingya militants on Myanmar security forces triggered a massive retaliation that prompted a massive cross-border exodus of civilians.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2018

The most effective policy would involve a credible warning of massive retaliation.

From Washington Post • Sep. 13, 2018

There was plenty of strafing by fighter planes and sorties by small bomber squadrons, but there was none of the "massive retaliation" of World War II.

From Damned If You Don't by Dongen, H. R. van