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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Intelligence services have seen signs of specific planning by Russia to conduct sabotage operations in Denmark, Emil Græsholm, head of counterintelligence at the national security and intelligence service PET, told the Berlingske newspaper. — Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 By the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, counterintelligence coverage was already being used as a broader tool of social control. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Those details line up with other hallmarks of a figure ripe for spy recruitment, said Eric O’Neill, a former FBI counterintelligence operative. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 Allegations of systematic torture The complaint accuses Venezuela’s military counterintelligence agency, known by its Spanish initials DGCIM, of carrying out systematic torture under Maduro’s direction. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 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

Rhymes for counterintelligence

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Browse Nearby Words

counterinsurgency
counterintelligence
counterinterpretation
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Cite this Entry

“Counterintelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterintelligence. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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

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