defensive strike
Anticipatory military action
A defensive strike is a military attack launched preemptively against a perceived threat, framed as protection rather than aggression.
The term often appears in political and military rhetoric to justify offensive action: The general characterized the bombing as a defensive strike against enemy positions.
Critics note the phrase can euphemize attacks that might otherwise be called aggression.
- preemptiveActing to forestall
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- interceptSeize en route
deterrent · show of force · no-fly zone · bunker · shield · military · tactical · nuclear · response · perimeter · buffer zone · forward operating base · warning · threat · hostile · protect · launch · radar
- counterattackscounterattack, counterblow, counterstrike, counterpunch, counteroffensive
defensive strikeunprovoked attack
first strike · war of aggression · preemptive war · preemptive strike · invasion
defensive strikepassive resistance
Opposing through peaceful noncompliance
nonviolent resistance · capitulation · pacifism · surrender · appeasement
defensive, strike, defense, defend, defender, defends, defended, defending, defensible