Showing results for counterespionage. Search instead for counter-response.

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.

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

L.A. was considered a small stage for spycraft, and members of the counterespionage squad “weren’t superstars like the agents in San Francisco and New York and Washington.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

Raimondo has said U.S. firms faced new challenges, among them unexplained large fines, raids on businesses and changes to a counterespionage law.

From Reuters • Sep. 3, 2023

American companies are worried about long-running issues like intellectual property theft, as well as newer developments like raids on businesses, a counterespionage law and exorbitant fines that come without explanations.

From New York Times • Aug. 29, 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