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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The report outlines a systematic pattern of arbitrary detentions carried out by agents from the military counterintelligence agency and the Bolivarian intelligence service, often by agents in unmarked vehicles and plainclothes. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025 Stefanik had gotten the language requiring congressional leadership to be notified of any counterintelligence investigations into federal candidates added to the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) that passed out of the House Intelligence Committee in September. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2025 If and when American bombs start to fall, Venezuela’s military counterintelligence system will certainly be put to the test. Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 The Attorney General is often required to make decisions, with high stakes and on short notice, on an array of difficult matters, from blocking mergers to approving counterintelligence investigations to appealing cases to the Supreme Court. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025 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 25 Dec. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on counterintelligence

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