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

Prop 42 and a second countermeasure, Proposition 41, could each nullify the billionaire tax if either receives more yes votes than Prop 40. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Beskrestnov said Ukraine is working on countermeasures, including sanctions. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Pattern of attacks and countermeasures These incidents mark the latest in a growing series of unprecedented attacks on Black Sea shipping in the exclusive economic zones of NATO countries. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

Some experts argue that, ultimately, the way to defeat trouble-making AI agents will be with AI countermeasures to find and combat them. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 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