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

After those tariffs were imposed, Canada and the European Union retaliated with countermeasures on U.S. exports. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025

If deals aren't reached by then, Trump will impose reciprocal tariffs on all America's trading partners, who may return fire with other countermeasures. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

Those Canadian countermeasures remain in place, despite Trump issuing temporary exemptions for some of his tariffs on March 6 following a severe stock market sell-off. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025

The big picture: Trump's 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports took effect earlier on Wednesday. Driving the news: The EU will end on April 1 the suspension of countermeasures the bloc announced during the first Trump administration, per a Wednesday statement from the European Commission. —Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing countermeasure

• counter-countermeasure
• electronic countermeasure

Rhymes for countermeasure

• displeasure
• leisure
• measure
• pleasure
• treasure

Kids Definition

countermeasure

noun

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

-ˌmāzh-

: an action or device designed to counteract another