balance of terror
Definition of balance of terror
: a situation in which the threat of mutual annihilation by nations with the capability to wage nuclear war serves as a deterrent against military aggression and the use of nuclear weapons Change, unfamiliarity, and the disconcerting potentialities of technology make balance of terror constantly precarious. — Henry T. Nash, Nuclear Weapons and International Behavior, 1975
From the M-W Editors
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
1955
First Known Use of balance of terror
1955
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up balance of terror? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!