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

Just days before the US began military operations, FBI Director Kash Patel fired a dozen agents and staff members from a counterintelligence unit tasked with monitoring threats from Iran, CNN previously reported. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Why, just days before this military operation against Iran, did the FBI director fire dozens of agents in counterintelligence and international terrorism units? —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026

Coast Guard, Secret Service, cyber defense, counterintelligence and the TSA are instrumental to the nation’s defense. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

The fact that many of those fired handled counterintelligence cases was first reported by the New York Sun. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterintelligence

• intelligence

Kids Definition

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