counterterrorism

American  

[koun-ter-ter-uh-riz-uhm] / ˌkaʊn tərˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. terrorism in reaction to or retaliation for some previous act of terrorism.

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counterterrorism British  

/ ˌkaʊntəˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. activities that are intended to prevent terrorist acts or to eradicate terrorist groups

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Other Word Forms

• counterterrorist noun

Etymology

Origin of counterterrorism

First recorded in 1965–70; counter- + terrorism

Example Sentences

“What else could defendants’ decisions to cut funding to specific counterterrorism programming by conspicuous round numbered amounts — including by slashing off the millions-place digits of awarded sums — be if not arbitrary and capricious?”

From Salon

Turkey has intensified intelligence and counterterrorism operations in recent years against IS networks operating both domestically and abroad, particularly those linked to the group's Khorasan affiliate.

From Barron's

Traditional counterterrorism tactics like infiltrating radical networks won’t easily catch plots hatched in the living room.

From The Wall Street Journal

It must draw on expertise in security, counterterrorism, social cohesion, immigration and intelligence—not only law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Islamic State emerged in Syria and Iraq in 2014 where it quickly seized control of vast areasbefore being almost completely obliterated five years later in a U.S.-backed counterterrorism operation.

From The Wall Street Journal