counterterrorism
noun
coun·ter·ter·ror·ism
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm 
variants
or counter-terrorism
: measures designed to combat or prevent terrorism
an expert in counterterrorism
—often used before another nouna local counterterrorism council
new counter-terrorism policies/measures
Examples of counterterrorism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 124% rise in militant death toll from 2024 reflects intensive counterterrorism operations against the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, which is not part of Afghanistan’s Taliban, the report said.
—
Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Eric Adams, New York's outgoing mayor, said the sweeping deployment will include personnel from the city's intelligence and counterterrorism units as well as officers in plainclothes, on horseback, on trains, in helicopters and on boats.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Analysts note that clashes among militias, sectarian violence and unresolved command structures have weakened overall security and diverted attention from counterterrorism efforts.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Turkey routinely steps up wide-ranging counterterrorism operations around end-of-the-year holidays, particularly since a 2017 ISIS attack on the Reina nightclub in Istanbul during New Year celebrations killed dozens of people.
—Gul Tuysuz, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterterrorism
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Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Eric Adams, New York's outgoing mayor, said the sweeping deployment will include personnel from the city's intelligence and counterterrorism units as well as officers in plainclothes, on horseback, on trains, in helicopters and on boats.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
Analysts note that clashes among militias, sectarian violence and unresolved command structures have weakened overall security and diverted attention from counterterrorism efforts.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Turkey routinely steps up wide-ranging counterterrorism operations around end-of-the-year holidays, particularly since a 2017 ISIS attack on the Reina nightclub in Istanbul during New Year celebrations killed dozens of people.
—Gul Tuysuz, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterterrorism
Cite this Entry
“Counterterrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterterrorism. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
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