counterespionage
noun
coun·ter·es·pi·o·nage
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈe-spē-ə-ˌnäzh 
-ˌnäj,
-nij,
Canadian also -ˌnazh;
-ˌe-spē-ə-ˈnäzh;
-ə-ˈspē-ə-nij
: the activity concerned with detecting and thwarting enemy espionage
Examples of counterespionage in a Sentence
He was involved in counterespionage against Germany in World War II.
Recent Examples on the Web
China’s recent expansion of its counterespionage law to cover a much wider array of information, coupled with raids on some advisory firms and a pickup in exit bans on foreigners, has made the business environment more uncertain.
—
Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2023
After the 9/11 attacks and the rise of Islamist terrorism, ASIO ran down its counterespionage capabilities in favor of counterterrorism.
—Clive Hamilton, Foreign Affairs, 26 July 2018
Xi's harsh covid-19 lockdowns brought significant swaths of the Chinese economy to a standstill in 2022, and his officials have raided foreign companies in apparent counterespionage investigations.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 8 Feb. 2024
In the name of national security, China earlier this month called on its citizens to participate in counterespionage work, following an expansion of its anti-spying law in July, alarming the United States.
—Reuters, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterespionage
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Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2023
After the 9/11 attacks and the rise of Islamist terrorism, ASIO ran down its counterespionage capabilities in favor of counterterrorism.
—Clive Hamilton, Foreign Affairs, 26 July 2018
Xi's harsh covid-19 lockdowns brought significant swaths of the Chinese economy to a standstill in 2022, and his officials have raided foreign companies in apparent counterespionage investigations.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 8 Feb. 2024
In the name of national security, China earlier this month called on its citizens to participate in counterespionage work, following an expansion of its anti-spying law in July, alarming the United States.
—Reuters, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterespionage
Cite this Entry
“Counterespionage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterespionage. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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