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 ability to characterize and attribute threats, develop countermeasures, and respond rapidly to novel pathogens will depend heavily on the private sector, which needs to be not only a supplier but also an enduring national security partner. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Its equipment can boost radar and infrared signatures, provide electronic support, jam signals, use countermeasures, and carry out attack missions. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

But by repeating the training scenario throughout the two-week exercise, US Army troops got better at figuring out how to disperse and hide from the drones while using countermeasures such as electronic warfare. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

Its national intelligence scope will include counterterrorism efforts, national emergency response, and countermeasures against foreign intelligence such as spy activity or covert influence operations. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 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