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

The book tells the true story of a Japanese spy and the Navy counterintelligence agent determined to stop him in the tense lead-up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026

Gabriel Basso stars as Sutherland, a formerly low-level FBI agent who has taken on increasingly dangerous assignments as part of a counterintelligence group within the bureau called Night Action. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026

This lack of capability may be why Gabbard, early on, tried to wrest control of counterintelligence operations from Kash Patel over at the FBI, an effort that failed (and should have). —Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026

Qrypt had been negotiating its first large contract, with the Pentagon, until a counterintelligence official called about Broidy’s allegations. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

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