Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
mutually-assured-destruction
noun
/ˈmjuːtʃuəli əˈʃʊrd dɪˈstrʌkʃən/
Definition
A military strategy in which opposing sides maintain the capability to destroy each other in the event of a nuclear war, ensuring that neither side will initiate a conflict.
Examples
- During the Cold War, the policy of mutually assured destruction was a key factor in maintaining peace between the superpowers.
- Both countries relied on mutually assured destruction to prevent a full-scale nuclear war.
Meaning
The doctrine implies that if two or more sides possess the ability to destroy each other with nuclear weapons, the prospect of destruction deters them from engaging in a conflict.
Synonyms
- Mutual deterrence
- Nuclear deterrence
- Assured destruction
