counterterrorism

noun

coun·​ter·​ter·​ror·​ism ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce counterterrorism (audio)
variants or counter-terrorism
: measures designed to combat or prevent terrorism
an expert in counterterrorism
often used before another noun
a local counterterrorism council
new counter-terrorism policies/measures

Examples of counterterrorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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After the September 11th attacks and the subsequent overthrow of the Taliban, Islamabad became a vital counterterrorism partner. Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 3 June 2026 Applying terrorism designations to criminal syndicates, Brazilian officials say, conflicts with domestic legal definitions and risks blurring distinctions underpinning international counterterrorism law. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 1 June 2026 Patel, then the National Security Council's senior director for counterterrorism, and Roger Carstens, O'Brien's successor as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said law enforcement officials have been training for well over a year in crowd control and counterterrorism tactics, with some doing so in other countries, in preparation for the World Cup. Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterterrorism

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterterrorism was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Counterterrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterterrorism. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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