counterterrorism

noun

coun·​ter·​ter·​ror·​ism ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm 

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

The list also includes agreements and groups on renewable energy, oceans, piracy, counterterrorism, and empowerment of women. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Delta Force is an elite special operations group of soldiers trained in secret counterterrorism operations and hostage rescues. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2026

The secretive unit also conducted numerous counterterrorism missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East, targeting senior al-Qaeda figures. —Michael Dorgan , Rachel Wolf , David Spunt , Lucas Y. Tomlinson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026

The 124% rise in militant death toll from 2024 reflects intensive counterterrorism operations against the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, which is not part of Afghanistan’s Taliban, the report said. —Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterterrorism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism