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counterterrorism

kown-ter-TER-uh-riz-uhm /ˌkaʊntərˈtɛrərɪzəm/

nounC1GRESATTOEFLIELTS

formalneutral

Political or military activities designed to prevent or thwart terrorism.

Encompasses a wide range of strategies, from intelligence gathering and law enforcement to military operations and public diplomacy, all aimed at mitigating or eliminating the threat of terrorism.

The story behind the word. The word 'counterterrorism' is a compound word, combining the English prefix 'counter-' meaning 'against' or 'opposite,' with 'terrorism.' So, it literally means 'against terrorism.' It emerged as a distinct term in the latter half of the 20th century as governments developed specialized strategies and agencies to combat the growing threat of non-state political violence.

Word relationships

anti-terrorism: Often used interchangeably, but 'counterterrorism' can imply a more proactive and offensive stance, while 'anti-terrorism' might suggest defensive measures.
security measures: A broader term; counterterrorism refers to security measures specifically against terrorism.

terrorism: The unlawful use of violence and intimidation.
appeasement: The act of yielding to demands to avoid conflict.

Commonly confused with

law enforcement: Law enforcement is a general term for policing; counterterrorism is a specialized branch focused on preventing and responding to terrorist acts.

Collocations

counterterrorism efforts
counterterrorism strategy
counterterrorism operations
global counterterrorism

Example sentences

"The new legislation significantly enhances the government's counterterrorism capabilities, allowing for greater surveillance and intelligence sharing." Reporting on national security measures.
"Effective counterterrorism requires a multi-faceted approach, combining robust security measures with efforts to address the root causes of radicalization." From a policy paper on international cooperation.

Memory hook

Think 'COUNTER' (against) 'TERRORISM' – it's the fight against terror. Against TERROR

When not to use

Do not use 'counterterrorism' to describe general crime fighting or military operations against conventional armies. It is specifically directed against terrorist groups and their activities.

Related words

terrorism, sabotage

Explore more words

counterinsurgency, counterintelligence, Countermeasure, espionage, counteroffensive, counterattack