countermeasure

noun

coun·​ter·​mea·​sure ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌme-zhər 

-ˌmā-

: an action or device designed to negate or offset another

The most well-known countermeasure by a physician is a malicious-persecution suit against the lawyer who sued him and failed to prove a case.

—William J. Curran

The Germans had developed a tricky magnetic mine, but the British had developed a countermeasure for this even before the mine was used.

—Bernard Brodie and Fawn M. Brodie

especially : electronic countermeasure

Examples of countermeasure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

BlueWhale also supports mine countermeasures by locating sea mines on the seabed, expanding its operational utility across multiple mission sets. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026

In the beginning, Sanseito advanced a platform that focused almost entirely on vaccine skepticism and opposition to COVID-19 countermeasures. —Joshua Hunt, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

Long term complications, like cardiovascular changes and balance and coordination issues, would also likely arise without countermeasures. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2026

Of course, countermeasures or deterrent effects could render the technology far less decisive, as has happened with many strategic systems over the past 80 years that never saw meaningful combat. —New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing countermeasure

• counter-countermeasure
• electronic countermeasure

Rhymes for countermeasure

• displeasure
• leisure
• measure
• pleasure
• treasure

Kids Definition

countermeasure

noun

coun·​ter·​mea·​sure ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌmezh-ər 

-ˌmāzh-

: an action or device designed to counteract another