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

In response to levies imposed on these metals earlier in the year, for example, the European Union previously outlined countermeasures. —Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025

The adtech industry should continue to work collaboratively to share information about new threats and effective countermeasures. —Ashish Bhardwaj, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

Under the agreement, China would also suspend or cancel its non-tariff countermeasures imposed on the United States since April 2. —Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 1 June 2025

There are two types of littoral combat ships, both of which have struggled to perform their original missions, which were to include mine countermeasures, hunting submarines and fighting surface threats close to shore, the General Accountability Office and other agencies have reported. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 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