countermeasure

noun

coun·​ter·​mea·​sure ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌme-zhər 

-ˌmā-

: an action or device designed to negate or offset another

The most well-known countermeasure by a physician is a malicious-persecution suit against the lawyer who sued him and failed to prove a case.

—William J. Curran

The Germans had developed a tricky magnetic mine, but the British had developed a countermeasure for this even before the mine was used.

—Bernard Brodie and Fawn M. Brodie

especially : electronic countermeasure

Examples of countermeasure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The following year, the government released an intensive plan of countermeasures including a 24/7 consultation service and the expansion of counseling and social work programs. —Jessie Yeung, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024

When one side has introduced new capabilities during this war, the other side has responded quickly by deploying technical countermeasures and operational adaptations. —Stephen Biddle, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2024

There is no fair and voter-centered process for putting countermeasures on the ballot. —Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 27 July 2024

That Israel has managed to detect and kill cadres despite those countermeasures has raised suspicions of spies in Hezbollah’s midst. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing countermeasure

• counter-countermeasure
• electronic countermeasure

Kids Definition

countermeasure

noun

coun·​ter·​mea·​sure ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌmezh-ər 

-ˌmāzh-

: an action or device designed to counteract another