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counterespionage

American

[koun-ter-es-pee-uh-nahzh, -nij] / ˌkaʊn tərˈɛs pi əˌnɑʒ, -nɪdʒ /

noun

the detection and frustration of enemy espionage.

counterespionage British

/ ˌkaʊntərˈɛspɪəˌnɑːʒ /

noun

activities designed to detect and counteract enemy espionage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of counterespionage

First recorded in 1895–1900; counter- + espionage

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

counterespionage

The employee filed the complaint with the division director, Robert Turner, a 22-year veteran of the bureau who previously held roles in counterterrorism and counterespionage.

From Salon ● Nov. 18, 2025

Instead, they had dumped him at the so-called Russia Squad in L.A., a counterespionage unit meant to combat Soviet spying.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2025

FBI Director Christopher Wray said this week that the bureau is using artificial intelligence to boost its counterespionage efforts against Chinese hackers.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 20, 2023

U.S. officials say they also expect Yellen to raise concerns about the impact of China's new counterespionage law on U.S. firms, and to warn Beijing about the consequences of supplying lethal aid to Russia.

From Reuters ● Jul. 7, 2023

Meanwhile, Cluny the Scourge made his own counterespionage moves.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023