counterintelligence

noun

coun·​ter·​in·​tel·​li·​gence ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s How to pronounce counterintelligence (audio)
Synonyms of counterintelligencenext
: organized activity of an intelligence service designed to block an enemy's sources of information, to deceive the enemy, to prevent sabotage, and to gather political and military information

Examples of counterintelligence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Coast Guard, Secret Service, cyber defense, counterintelligence and the TSA are instrumental to the nation’s defense. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026 The fact that many of those fired handled counterintelligence cases was first reported by the New York Sun. Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026 Produced by Damai Entertainment, and starring Jackson Yee and Zhu Yilong, the film centers on a high-stakes counterintelligence operation to plug a leak of classified data. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026 The heightened posture came as Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel put his counterterrorism and counterintelligence teams on high alert after the US and Israel launched a sweeping military assault on Iran. Myles Miller, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterintelligence

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterintelligence was in 1940

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Cite this Entry

“Counterintelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintelligence. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

counterintelligence

noun
coun·​ter·​in·​tel·​li·​gence ˌkau̇nt-ə-rin-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s How to pronounce counterintelligence (audio)
: activities of an intelligence service meant to hide the truth from an enemy or to prevent the enemy from learning secret information

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