counterintelligence
noun
coun·ter·in·tel·li·gence
ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s 
: organized activity of an intelligence service designed to block an enemy's sources of information, to deceive the enemy, to prevent sabotage, and to gather political and military information
Examples of counterintelligence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This strategy of sending the notes to the media could be designed to ratchet up pressure, said Eric O’Neill, a former FBI counterintelligence operative and cybersecurity expert.
—
Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
One worker joined the FBI and made a career in counterintelligence, sniffing out Chinese spies.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Machado said more than 80% of Venezuela’s armed forces support democratic change, but have been neutralized by the intelligence and counterintelligence apparatus, particularly the DGCIM military intelligence agency.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Stefanik had gotten the language requiring congressional leadership to be notified of any counterintelligence investigations into federal candidates added to the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) that passed out of the House Intelligence Committee in September.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterintelligence
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Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
One worker joined the FBI and made a career in counterintelligence, sniffing out Chinese spies.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Machado said more than 80% of Venezuela’s armed forces support democratic change, but have been neutralized by the intelligence and counterintelligence apparatus, particularly the DGCIM military intelligence agency.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Stefanik had gotten the language requiring congressional leadership to be notified of any counterintelligence investigations into federal candidates added to the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) that passed out of the House Intelligence Committee in September.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterintelligence
Cite this Entry
“Counterintelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintelligence. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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counterintelligence
noun
coun·ter·in·tel·li·gence
ˌkau̇nt-ə-rin-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s
: activities of an intelligence service meant to hide the truth from an enemy or to prevent the enemy from learning secret information
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