counterespionage

noun

coun·​ter·​es·​pi·​o·​nage ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈe-spē-ə-ˌnäzh How to pronounce counterespionage (audio)
-ˌnäj,
-nij,
 Canadian also  -ˌnazh;
-ˌe-spē-ə-ˈnäzh;
-ə-ˈspē-ə-nij
: the activity concerned with detecting and thwarting enemy espionage

Examples of counterespionage in a Sentence

He was involved in counterespionage against Germany in World War II.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
China’s recent expansion of its counterespionage law to cover a much wider array of information, coupled with raids on some advisory firms and a pickup in exit bans on foreigners, has made the business environment more uncertain. Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2023 After the 9/11 attacks and the rise of Islamist terrorism, ASIO ran down its counterespionage capabilities in favor of counterterrorism. Clive Hamilton, Foreign Affairs, 26 July 2018 Xi's harsh covid-19 lockdowns brought significant swaths of the Chinese economy to a standstill in 2022, and his officials have raided foreign companies in apparent counterespionage investigations. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 8 Feb. 2024 In the name of national security, China earlier this month called on its citizens to participate in counterespionage work, following an expansion of its anti-spying law in July, alarming the United States. Reuters, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for counterespionage 

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterespionage was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near counterespionage

Cite this Entry

“Counterespionage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterespionage. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on counterespionage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!