COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Synonyms: 15 Similar Words

counterintelligence

noun

as in counterespionage

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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.

Recent Examples of counterintelligence 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 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 The center brings together counterterrorism, cyber, counterintelligence and financial investigators and specialists from the Treasury Department and IRS to trace funding streams, identify criminal actors and build prosecutable cases. — Asra Q. Nomani , Morgan Phillips, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterintelligence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterintelligence

Noun

Russian security forces had already absorbed a counterespionage mindset as early as the Russo-Japanese war, in 1905.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
The latest firings included experts in counterespionage matters.

— Perry Stein, Arkansas Online, 28 Feb. 2026

Definition of counterespionage

Noun

Moreover, its lead in many technologies meant that the United States had much more to lose than to gain by legitimizing commercial spying.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
That show tackled Bitcoin, viral videos, NSA spying, and the goofy-ass names of 2010s tech startups without being hacky or hammy.

— Meredith Haggerty, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of spying

Noun

Reuters reported, citing a cyber threat intelligence analyst, that Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany, and Belgium were affected.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
Denmark's defense intelligence service specifically warned Russia could use such tactics to split the NATO alliance.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of intelligence

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counterinsurgents

counterintelligence

countermand

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“Counterintelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterintelligence. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of counterintelligence

noun

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