second-strike

American  

[sek-uhnd-strahyk] / ˈsɛk əndˈstraɪk /

adjective

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

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second-strike British  

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

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Other Word Forms

• second strike noun

Etymology

Origin of second-strike

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

Example Sentences

Both the Poseidon and the Burevestnik are second-strike, retaliatory weapons, Mr Galeotti added - and not even the most rabid Kremlin propagandists are suggesting anyone is preparing to launch strikes on Russia.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

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

From Washington Times • Apr. 19, 2023

“In other words, to stop the Chinese having a second-strike nuclear capability against the United States,” Keating said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2021

Finally, proponents argued, if the U.S. declared that it no longer found the bomb useful except as a second-strike deterrent, maybe other countries would steer clear of the nuclear genie.

From Slate • Jul. 31, 2019

To maximize its second-strike capability, China’s missile subs would need to be stealthy enough to go undetected as they sail to their patrol areas in the open ocean.

From Reuters • May 2, 2019