countermeasure
KOWN-ter-mezh-er
/ˈkaʊn.tərˌmeʒ.ər/
An action taken to counteract a danger or threat, or to negate an opponent's move.
A countermeasure is reactive; you only use it because the opponent did something first.
The story behind the word. A combination of the prefix 'counter-' (against) and 'measure' (from Latin 'mensura'). It describes an action taken specifically to 'measure up' against and negate the effect of an opponent's move.
Word relationships
- antidote: Antidote is usually medical; countermeasure is tactical or strategic.
- provocation: A provocation is the initial move that requires a countermeasure.
Commonly confused with
- prevention: Prevention stops something before it starts; a countermeasure stops something that is already happening.
Collocations
- effective countermeasure
- defensive countermeasure
- electronic countermeasure
Example sentences
- "The government implemented a countermeasure to protect the city from the rising floodwaters." Security
- "The defense developed a brilliant countermeasure for the star hitter's signature curveball." Competitive sports
Memory hook
You 'Counter' the move to 'Measure' up to the challenge. A move against a move.
When not to use
Don't use it for a proactive, first-strike move; that's just a 'measure' or 'tactic'.
Fun facts
- In military aviation, 'flares' are a physical countermeasure used to trick heat-seeking missiles.
Explore more words
damage control, safeguard, safeguards, counterattack, offset, counterterrorism
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.