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

The change would allow each of the country’s 36 states to create a police force that meets a minimum national requirement while the federal police retains control of counterterrorism, border patrol, organized crime and other national security issues. — ABC News, 24 June 2026

No staffers have been removed from the counterterrorism group. — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 23 June 2026

LaCroix has taught a variety of subjects including cybercrime, counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, intelligence, counterintelligence and Homeland Security legal and policy Issues. — Hunter Lacroix, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026

Helen Flanagan, the current head of the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism team. — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterterrorism

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