counter-espionage
Definition
- Noun:
- Activities to prevent espionage: "counter-espionage" refers to actions taken by a government or organization to detect, prevent, or neutralize spying by enemy agents. It is a subset of counter-intelligence focused specifically on stopping foreign intelligence operations.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The agency's counter-espionage unit successfully identified a foreign spy network. (The unit detected and stopped enemy spying activities.)
- Counter-espionage requires careful monitoring of suspicious communications. (Preventing spying involves observing unusual messages.)
Advanced Usage
"counter-espionage operation": a specific mission or set of actions aimed at thwarting enemy spies.
- The government launched a counter-espionage operation to protect classified documents. (A mission to prevent theft of secrets.)
"counter-espionage agent": a person trained to detect and stop spying.
- She works as a counter-espionage agent for the national security bureau. (Her job is to find and stop spies.)
Variants and Related Words
Counter-intelligence (n): broader term for activities to protect against espionage, sabotage, and other threats.
- Counter-intelligence includes counter-espionage as well as security checks. (A larger category of defensive actions.)
Espionage (n): the practice of spying or using spies to obtain secret information.
- Espionage is illegal in most countries. (Spying is a crime.)
Synonyms
- Anti-spying: measures taken against spying.
- Spy-catching: the act of identifying and arresting spies.
Phrasal Verbs
- None directly associated with "counter-espionage" as a noun. However, the verb phrase "carry out counter-espionage" is common:
- The team was ordered to carry out counter-espionage in the region. (Perform anti-spying activities.)
Related Idioms
- "Spy versus spy": a situation where two opposing intelligence agencies compete against each other.
- The Cold War was a classic spy versus spy scenario, with heavy counter-espionage efforts. (Mutual spying and anti-spying.)