counterintelligence

noun

coun·​ter·​in·​tel·​li·​gence ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s 

: 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

For the hundreds of thousands of Russians employed in counterintelligence and law enforcement, catching Western and Ukrainian agents and neutralizing antiwar activists and journalists is now a way to climb the career ladder. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025

The order exempted any Agency which is involved in intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or national security work from the provisions of Chapter 5 United States Code, Title 71, the Labor-Management Relations statute. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

Buma focused on counterintelligence and counterproliferation matters. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025

Schumer's bill, the Operational Security (OPSEC) Act of 2025, would establish a new office to train administration officials in security protocols and to identify counterintelligence operations. —Stephen Neukam, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterintelligence

• intelligence

Kids Definition

counterintelligence

noun

coun·​ter·​in·​tel·​li·​gence ˌkau̇nt-ə-rin-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s 

: activities of an intelligence service meant to hide the truth from an enemy or to prevent the enemy from learning secret information