countermeasure

noun

coun·​ter·​mea·​sure ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌme-zhər 

-ˌmā-

: an action or device designed to negate or offset another

The most well-known countermeasure by a physician is a malicious-persecution suit against the lawyer who sued him and failed to prove a case.

—William J. Curran

The Germans had developed a tricky magnetic mine, but the British had developed a countermeasure for this even before the mine was used.

—Bernard Brodie and Fawn M. Brodie

especially : electronic countermeasure

Examples of countermeasure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vehicle is designed to support mine countermeasures, search and recovery, hydrographic and geophysical survey, offshore infrastructure inspection, and environmental mapping missions. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026

The research pipeline for medical countermeasures urgently needs the same attention. —Craig Spencer, STAT, 13 May 2026

Kinetic countermeasures include the use of traditional antiaircraft artillery, such as the ZSU-23-4 Shilka, and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), such as the Stinger and Igla-S missiles. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

However the court’s decision means that while red states lose their main constraint, for partisan gains, Democratic – that is blue – states would have to respond aggressively with countermeasures. —ABC News, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing countermeasure

• counter-countermeasure
• electronic countermeasure

Rhymes for countermeasure

• displeasure
• leisure
• measure
• pleasure
• treasure

Kids Definition

countermeasure

noun

coun·​ter·​mea·​sure ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌmezh-ər 

-ˌmāzh-

: an action or device designed to counteract another