doomsday device
Planet-killing weapon
A doomsday device is a weapon capable of destroying all human life or rendering Earth uninhabitable.
The term comes from Cold War scenarios of nuclear arsenals so powerful that their use would end civilization.
In fiction, a doomsday device is often a supervillain's ultimate threat: The mad scientist built a doomsday device in his underground lair.
The concept suggests mutually assured destruction—a weapon so catastrophic that its mere existence deters attack.
Of atomic energy
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- hydrogen bombThermonuclear fusion weapon
- cobalt bombNuclear weapon maximizing radiation
- warheadMunition's explosive section
ICBM · ballistic missile · WMD · megaton · detonator · payload · yield · chain reaction
Complete vanishing of a species
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- end timesProphesied apocalyptic conclusion
- judgment dayFinal divine assessment
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
cataclysm · eschatology · four horsemen · apocalypse · obliteration · decimation · catastrophe · world-ending
- James BondBritish intelligence agent
- villainWicked story antagonist
- superweaponExceptionally powerful military armament
- sci-fiFuturistic fiction, abbreviated
thriller · cyberpunk · dystopia · antagonist · world domination · countdown timer · self-destruct · fail-safe
Reciprocal annihilation prevents war
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- balance of powerEqual distribution of influence
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- nonproliferationRestricting weapons dissemination
deterrence · brinkmanship · cold war · nuclear umbrella · second strike · dead man's switch · arms control · disarmament
nuclear
Of atomic energy
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- hydrogen bombThermonuclear fusion weapon
- cobalt bombNuclear weapon maximizing radiation
warhead · ICBM · ballistic missile · WMD · megaton · detonator · payload · yield · chain reaction · fission
extinction
Complete vanishing of a species
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- end timesProphesied apocalyptic conclusion
- judgment dayFinal divine assessment
revelation · cataclysm · eschatology · four horsemen · apocalypse · obliteration · decimation · catastrophe · world-ending · nuclear winter
Dr. Strangelove
- James BondBritish intelligence agent
- villainWicked story antagonist
- superweaponExceptionally powerful military armament
sci-fi · thriller · cyberpunk · dystopia · antagonist · world domination · countdown timer · self-destruct · fail-safe · deactivation
mutual assured destruction
Reciprocal annihilation prevents war
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- balance of powerEqual distribution of influence
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
nonproliferation · deterrence · brinkmanship · cold war · nuclear umbrella · second strike · dead man's switch · arms control · disarmament · treaty
- Mad Scientistmad scientist, secret lab, lab coat, laboratory, evil genius
- nuclear weaponsatomic bomb, atom bomb, warheads, hydrogen bomb, a-bomb
- Superweaponsnuclear bomb, atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, neutron bomb, thermonuclear bomb
- sci-fiscience fiction, Star Wars, sci-fi, Blade Runner 2049, aliens
- sci-fi comedySpaceballs, Galaxy Quest, Futurama, sci-fi parody, Marvin
- Spy Thrillersspy, double agent, covert ops, classified, intel
doomsday devicelife-support system
Equipment maintaining vital functions
ark · seed vault · Noah's Ark · life raft · safety mechanism
doomsday devicesalvation
Deliverance from harm
peace · utopia · paradise · new beginning · renaissance
doomsday deviceHoly Grail
Legendary cup from scripture
fountain of youth · tree of life · Garden of Eden · love · divine intervention
doom, doomsday, dooms, doomed, dooming, device, devices, devise, devised