counterintelligence
Americannoun
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the activity of an intelligence service employed in thwarting the efforts of an enemy's intelligence agents to gather information or commit sabotage. CI
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an organization engaged in counterintelligence. CI
noun
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activities designed to frustrate enemy espionage
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intelligence collected about enemy espionage
Etymology
Origin of counterintelligence
First recorded in 1935–40; counter- + intelligence
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.
It calls for a mandatory registration system for foreign agents -- such as individuals and corporations lobbying within Japan on behalf of other governments -- as part of counterintelligence measures.
From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026
The verdict marked the Justice Department’s first conviction on AI-related economic espionage charges, according to a statement from Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director of the FBI’s counterintelligence and espionage division.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
As well as being in charge of the presidential guard, Gen Marcano Tábata also led Venezuela's military counterintelligence unit DGCIM.
From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026
Ahead of Friday’s release, CNN reported that the Justice Department was racing to redact thousands of pages of documents, with insiders describing the redaction process as a top priority for counterintelligence specialists.
From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025
Ames gambled that as chief of counterintelligence for the Soviet division of the CIA, approaching the KGB couldn't be simpler.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
