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

In her final two years in uniform, Conley served as the director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council staff, where she oversaw security in the 2024 elections.

From Salon

Over the last decade, the Los Angeles Police Department sent employees to Israel to train or be trained by the country’s counterterrorism experts on at least nine occasions.

From Los Angeles Times

It also opened a new chapter in the U.S. counterterrorism strategy in which Washington is aligning itself with Sharaa’s forces.

From The Wall Street Journal

In December, Iran hosted troops from China, Russia and seven other countries for Sahand-2025, counterterrorism drills organized under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security and economic grouping led by China and Russia.

From The Wall Street Journal

Last year, Egypt started positioning troops in Somalia as well as providing the African country with weapons and counterterrorism advisers.

From The Wall Street Journal