counterterrorism

noun

coun·​ter·​ter·​ror·​ism ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce counterterrorism (audio)
variants or counter-terrorism
: measures designed to combat or prevent terrorism
an expert in counterterrorism
often used before another noun
a local counterterrorism council
new counter-terrorism policies/measures

Examples of counterterrorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Critics had their knives out for this counterterrorism action series on Paramount+, starring Zoe Saldana as a CIA operative named Joe who trains female assassins—among them, a badass marine named Cruz played to the hilt by the relatively unknown Laysla De Oliveira. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024 The recent arrest of an Afghan accused of plotting an Election Day attack in the U.S., as well as recent plots in France, Sweden and elsewhere, highlight the growing threat posed by ISIS-K, officials and counterterrorism experts say. Dan De Luce, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024 The general staff attributed the raid to the Ukrainian military and counterterrorism ministry. David Axe, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 The number of state-threat investigations undertaken by MI5 has risen by 48% in the past year, with Iran, Russia and China being the main perpetrators, McCallum told journalists at the U.K.’s counterterrorism command center in London. Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counterterrorism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterterrorism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterterrorism was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near counterterrorism

Cite this Entry

“Counterterrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterterrorism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on counterterrorism

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