nuclear terrorism
3
8.6
- noun
- /ˈnjuːklɪər ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/
- NSFW
:
terrorismo nuclear
- Such moves would add teeth to Security Council resolutions and international conventions that already forbid states from facilitating nuclear terrorism in any way.
- the threat of nuclear terrorism
Examples
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Nuclear terrorism, accordingly, must be stopped at the source, and the formula for doing so is simple and clear.
Academic text (2004) -
The President has identified the dual missions of sustaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent and countering the threat from nuclear terrorism and nuclear proliferation as among the two most important for U.S. national security.
Blog text (23) -
The only way to eliminate the threat of nuclear terrorism is to eliminate all nuclear weapons in all countries.
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In the Senate, I have introduced legislation to accelerate and reinvigorate U.S. efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism.
Academic text (2007) -
The threat of nuclear terrorism, in particular, warrants an alternative public-diplomacy strategy.
Academic text (2005) -
Pakistan's stock of nuclear weapons, along with Russia's, is the focus of urgent concern about nuclear terrorism.
Academic text (2006) -
The following year, he struck the New START nuclear arms agreement with Russia and corralled global leaders to prioritize efforts to counter nuclear terrorism.
Blog text (2) -
Since the early 1990s, the U.S. nuclear program has evolved significantly as a result of unilateral and bilateral arms reductions, the end of underground nuclear testing in the United States, and in response to the growing threats of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism.
Blog text (23) -
The threat of nuclear terrorism looms over global security discussions, prompting countries to enhance their defenses.
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In recent years, experts have warned that nuclear terrorism could lead to catastrophic consequences if not addressed.
How Destructive
- NSFW
3
8.6
- Specialized
85
6.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase directly combines 'nuclear' (relating to atomic weapons or radioactive material) with 'terrorism' (the use of violence for political intimidation), so the intended meaning—terrorism using nuclear devices or materials—is compositionally predictable. This is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common noun–noun combination, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would very likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Nuclear terrorism joins nuclear (very powerful bombs or radioactive material) and terrorism (acts meant to cause fear). The image is of a small group using a hidden, very powerful weapon to scare or destroy many people, so it means the use or threat of nuclear weapons or materials to cause 'widespread destruction' and 'fear'.