first strike

noun

: a preemptive nuclear attack

first-strike

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstrīk 

adjective

Examples of first strike in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Project Iceworm envisioned constructing thousands of kilometers of tunnels beneath Greenland’s ice sheet to secretly deploy hundreds of nuclear missiles capable of surviving a Soviet first strike. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

While his first strike was a penalty, the second, as implied by the manager, had Hamza pounce in the box. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

That first strike against Zverev’s serve will be critical Sunday, with Wimbledon’s grass having baked in the hot sun for a couple of weeks and playing fast. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Palestinians received an evacuation order from the military following the first strikes. — Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for first strike

• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike
• hairlike