counterterrorism

[ koun-ter-ter-uh-riz-uhm ]

/ ˌkaʊn tərˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

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noun

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

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Origin of counterterrorism

First recorded in 1965–70; counter- + terrorism

OTHER WORDS FROM counterterrorism

coun·ter·ter·ror·ist, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH counterterrorism

antiterrorism, counterterrorism

Words nearby counterterrorism

countersubject, countersue, countersuit, counter table, countertenor, counterterrorism, countertop, countertrade, countertransference, counterturn, countertype

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use counterterrorism in a sentence

Having more of a plan for how we were going to deal with counterterrorism threats from over the horizon.
These Jobs Were Not Posted on ZipRecruiter (Ep. 473)|Stephen J. Dubner|August 26, 2021|Freakonomics
The reality though is that successful counterterrorism is almost always the result of rapid detection and rapid response.
The Endgame in Afghanistan: Darker Clouds Gather|Tracy Moran|July 28, 2021|Ozy
“I tend to look at this letter as a person puffing themself up,” said Jason Blazakis, a former senior counterterrorism official at the Department of State.
In Exclusive Jailhouse Letter, Capitol Riot Defendant Explains Motives, Remains Boastful|by Joshua Kaplan and Joaquin Sapien|May 11, 2021|ProPublica
In congressional hearings in recent years, counterterrorism specialists and other witnesses told lawmakers the federal government needs more data on domestic terrorism to understand how to address the rising violence.
The rise of domestic extremism in America|Robert O'Harrow , Andrew Ba Tran, Derek Hawkins|April 12, 2021|Washington Post

Extremists who lurk online and are unaffiliated with a group pose special challenges for law enforcement because they leave few clues about their intentions and targets, counterterrorism officials and researchers said in interviews.
The rise of domestic extremism in America|Robert O'Harrow , Andrew Ba Tran, Derek Hawkins|April 12, 2021|Washington Post

British Dictionary definitions for counterterrorism

counterterrorism

/ (ˌkaʊntəˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm) /

noun

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

Derived forms of counterterrorism

counterterrorist, adjective

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