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 noun

a local counterterrorism council

new counter-terrorism policies/measures

Examples of counterterrorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has forged a new counterterrorism doctrine during his decade in power: Any terrorist attack emanating from Pakistan will face a scorching Indian-military response. —Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025

The investigation is led by an intelligence and security company called the Soufan Group, founded by former FBI counterterrorism officer Ali Soufan. —Richard Engel, NBC news, 10 May 2025

Al-Araj was killed by the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police’s counterterrorism unit in 2017. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025

Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff most associated with his immigration policies, is also influential on the foreign policy front, as is Sebastian Gorka, head of counterterrorism at the National Security Council. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 3 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterterrorism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism