counterespionage

American  

[koun-ter-es-pee-uh-nahzh, -nij] / ˌkaʊn tərˈɛs pi əˌnɑʒ, -nɪdʒ /

noun

1. the detection and frustration of enemy espionage.

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counterespionage British  

/ ˌkaʊntərˈɛspɪəˌnɑːʒ /

noun

1. activities designed to detect and counteract enemy espionage

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Etymology

Origin of counterespionage

First recorded in 1895–1900; counter- + espionage

Example Sentences

The employee filed the complaint with the division director, Robert Turner, a 22-year veteran of the bureau who previously held roles in counterterrorism and counterespionage.

From Salon • Nov. 18, 2025

L.A. was considered a small stage for spycraft, and members of the counterespionage squad “weren’t superstars like the agents in San Francisco and New York and Washington.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

FBI Director Christopher Wray said this week that the bureau is using artificial intelligence to boost its counterespionage efforts against Chinese hackers.

From Washington Times • Sep. 20, 2023

U.S. officials say they also expect Yellen to raise concerns about the impact of China's new counterespionage law on U.S. firms, and to warn Beijing about the consequences of supplying lethal aid to Russia.

From Reuters • Jul. 7, 2023

The Agency had launched the most difficult kind of counterespionage campaign: the mole hunt.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau