counterterrorism
gb/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm/ us/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
process
1
Efforts to combat terrorism
work done by governments, police, or the military to stop terrorist attacks.
Usage pattern:
counterterrorism; counterterrorism [measures/operations/policy]
Common mistake:
Usually uncountable: do not say “a counterterrorism” for one operation. The spelling “counter-terrorism” is also common, especially in British English.
Synonyms
anti-terrorism (often used similarly, especially for measures aimed at preventing terrorist attacks)
|
terrorism prevention (clearer and less technical, but narrower than the full range of counterterrorism activities)
|
security operations (broader; can include threats that are not terrorism)
Antonyms
terrorism (the violent political activity that counterterrorism is intended to stop)
Collocations
counterterrorism strategy
|counterterrorism policy
|counterterrorism measures
|counterterrorism operation
|counterterrorism unit
|counterterrorism law
|counterterrorism agency
|counterterrorism training
|counterterrorism intelligence
|counterterrorism efforts
Themes
security
|government
|law_enforcement
|military
|politics
Examples
- The government increased funding for counterterrorism after the attacks.
- The report criticized some counterterrorism measures for violating civil liberties.
- She works in counterterrorism at a national security agency.
Learner examples
- Counterterrorism aims to stop terrorist attacks.
- The police need good information for counterterrorism.
Grammar
Dictionary form
counterterrorism
IPA
GB/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm/
US/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
coun - terter - ror - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (coun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: counterterrorism
- Plural: counterterrorisms
Expressions
counterterrorism intelligence
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
fixed phrase
formal
Information on terrorist threats
information that helps officials find and stop possible terrorist attacks.
Examples
- The agencies agreed to share counterterrorism intelligence more quickly.
- Accurate counterterrorism intelligence helped prevent the attack.
- Investigators reviewed intelligence from several foreign partners.
counterterrorism legislation
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm lˌɛd͡ʒɪslˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
Laws against terrorism
laws made to help stop terrorism or deal with people involved in it.
Examples
- Parliament passed counterterrorism legislation after months of debate.
- Critics said the legislation gave the police too much power.
- The court examined whether the counterterrorism legislation was constitutional.
counterterrorism measures
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm mˈɛʒɚz/
fixed phrase
formal
Steps against terrorism
steps taken to stop terrorist attacks or reduce the risk of them.
Examples
- Airports introduced new counterterrorism measures after the threat level rose.
- Civil liberties groups challenged the counterterrorism measures in court.
- The minister said the measures were necessary to protect the public.
counterterrorism operation
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Official anti-terror action
an official action by police or soldiers to stop terrorists.
Examples
- Police arrested three suspects during a counterterrorism operation in the capital.
- The army said the counterterrorism operation targeted a militant training camp.
- Several agencies took part in the operation.
counterterrorism strategy
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
formal
Plan to combat terrorism
a plan for stopping terrorism and responding to possible attacks.
Examples
- The president announced a new counterterrorism strategy focused on intelligence sharing.
- Experts argued that the strategy relied too heavily on military force.
- The report called for a clearer national counterterrorism strategy.
counterterrorism task force
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm tˈæsk fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
formal
Multi-agency anti-terror group
a special group from different organizations that works against terrorism.
Examples
- Officials set up a counterterrorism task force to investigate the network.
- The task force included police, border officers, and intelligence analysts.
- She was appointed to lead the regional counterterrorism task force.
counterterrorism training
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm tɹˈeɪnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
Training against terrorism
training that teaches officials how to deal with terrorist threats.
Examples
- Officers received counterterrorism training before the international summit.
- The program provides counterterrorism training to airport security staff.
- The training includes crisis response and threat assessment.
counterterrorism unit
1/kˈaʊntɚtˌɛɹɚˌɪzəm jˈunɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
Specialized anti-terror team
a special group of police, soldiers, or officials who work against terrorism.
Examples
- A counterterrorism unit investigated the online threats.
- The city created a new counterterrorism unit after several security incidents.
- Members of the unit received training in explosives detection.