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
• counterterrorist
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of counterterrorism

First recorded in 1965–70; counter- + terrorism

Explanation

Governments use counterterrorism to fight back against violence that threatens civilians. Counterterrorism ranges from military campaigns to policing websites for hate speech. The term counterterrorism adds counter-, or "against," to terrorism, which derives from a Latin root meaning "to tremble." Protecting civilians from violence, or fighting back against groups that have committed terrorist acts, is what counterterrorism aims to do. Police and military forces often have units dedicated to this, and governments enact counterterrorism measures that include airport security, tightening control of finances, and streamlining communication between different countries.

Example Sentences

The program allows US intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets overseas without a warrant, and officials say it is central to counterterrorism and other national security work.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Erroll Southers has faced criticism for an increase in police shootings during his tenure on the commission, and for his past counterterrorism studies in Israel.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

While head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard worked to reshape the intelligence community through staffing cuts and restructuring, and a focus on border security and counterterrorism.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The U.S. finished its withdrawal from neighboring Niger in 2024, including from a drone base that conducted counterterrorism intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance missions in the Sahel.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

I didn’t explain to them that Jordan is a longtime partner in working on counterterrorism with the U.S.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan