counterintelligences

Intermediate 🎖️ Military / Defense

Definition

Plural of counterintelligence; activities and operations designed to prevent or thwart espionage, sabotage, and intelligence gathering by hostile nations, organizations, or individuals. Also refers to the agencies and personnel involved in such work.

Example Usage

The counterintelligences division of the agency spent months tracking the foreign spy network operating in the capital.

Origin

From counter- (against) plus intelligence (information gathering), a term that became standard in military and security contexts during the 20th century.

Fun Fact

Counterintelligence operations often involve double-agent tactics, false information campaigns, and surveillance of suspected spies.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

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