Meaning of first strike | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An attack (typically nuclear) launched without warning in the absence of a prior attack by one's opponent, with the intention of destroying one's opponent's ability to retaliate.
2. A first offense by a lawbreaker, as counted by a three-strikes law.
3. One of the first few coins struck from a new set of dies.

Equivalents

Examples

“Near-synonym: decapitation strike⟳”

“During the Cold War, both sides feared that the other was preparing to launch⟳ a first strike⟳.”

“"Where I come⟳ from 'proactive defense' is a euphemism for "first strike⟳." "This is not that approach⟳, Putzho. We have⟳ evolved to defend⟳ ourselves with a much subtler, gentler approach⟳."”

“In the end⟳, the question⟳ proved to be academic. When SCP-3125 arrived, whether it knew ω-0 was there or not, it took no special action against it, and had no need⟳ to. Most of ω-0's members' anchors were Foundationers, or Foundation-adjacent. With those people's minds blown away in the first strike⟳, the dense web of mutual memory which had held the Task Force⟳ together since its formation tore loose. More than half of the Task Force⟳ was cast⟳ into the void and died; the final, real death they had evaded for years.”

“His first strike⟳ was when he stole a car to go for a joyride.”

“Collectors pay⟳ a premium for first strikes in order⟳ to get⟳ their hands on coins with the crispest possible detailing.”

CEFR level