counterterrorism

American

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

noun

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

counterterrorism British

/ ˌkaʊntəˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm /

noun

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

"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

Other Word Forms

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.

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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 urgency of the moment has trained a spotlight on Sebastian Gorka, the White House counterterrorism adviser tasked with drafting a blueprint for fighting homegrown and international threats.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

The leadership disarray compounds the risks of hollowed-out counterterrorism operations, say national security analysts.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

That’s true, said one former counterterrorism official with direct knowledge of the intelligence involved, but there was more to the story.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Gorka’s claims of battlefield victories are often exaggerated or misleading about who was targeted and why, according to security officials and counterterrorism analysts.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 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

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