noun
counterespionage
KOWN-ter-es-pee-uh-nahzh
Counterespionage (noun) means the work of blocking or turning to advantage the spying carried out by another country or an enemy. Example: “The agency's counterespionage branch spent years hunting for a mole.”
noun
1
The work of blocking or turning to advantage the spying carried out by another country or an enemy.
"The agency's counterespionage branch spent years hunting for a mole."
"Counterespionage is usually kept far from public view."
"She built her career in counterespionage during the Cold War."
How to use counterespionage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCounterespionage is the business of catching and countering enemy spies.
When to use it
It is a formal term, mostly found in writing about security and intelligence.
Memory tip
It is uncountable, so say 'counterespionage is' rather than 'a counterespionage'.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
counterespionage operation
counterespionage agent
counterespionage unit
counterespionage work
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Fill the gap
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The agency's _____ branch spent years hunting for a mole.
Etymology
The word is built from the prefix counter- and the word espionage.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for counterespionage
See all rhymes for counterespionage →Frequently asked questions
What does counterespionage mean?
Counterespionage means the activities used to stop, or make use of, the spying done by another nation or an enemy.
Is counterespionage the same as counterintelligence?
They are treated as synonyms. Both describe efforts to counter an opponent's spying.
Is it counterespionage or counter-espionage?
Both spellings are used. The unhyphenated form is the main one and the hyphenated form is an alternative.
What is the meaning of counterespionage?
"counterespionage" (noun) means the work of blocking or turning to advantage the spying carried out by another country or an enemy.
