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

“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

Because subs are undetectable and therefore invulnerable to attack, they are the best platforms for second-strike weapons—the most reliable deterrent.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2021

With the sea-based second-strike deterrent in place, those programs suggest Beijing eventually intends to field a triad of air, sea and land-based nuclear weapons like the United States and Russia.

From Reuters • May 2, 2019

More North Korean bombs could indicate second-strike capacity and then there are questions about how much nuclear firepower the country could mobilize on a moment’s notice.

From Washington Times • Aug. 18, 2017