massive retaliation
noun
a strategy of military counterattack that involves the use of nuclear weapons.
Origin of massive retaliation
An Americanism dating back to 1950–55
Words nearby massive retaliation
massinger,
massinisa,
massinissa,
massive,
massive resistance,
massive retaliation,
massless,
masson disk,
massorete,
massotherapy,
masstige
Cultural definitions for massive retaliation
massive retaliation
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.)