counter-intelligence

A spy carefully plants a false document as part of a counter-intelligence operation.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Activities to prevent enemy intelligence: "counter-intelligence" refers to actions taken by a government, military, or organization to prevent an adversary from gathering information, conducting espionage, or carrying out sabotage. It is a form of protective and defensive intelligence work.

Usage Examples

• (The team stopped enemy spying operations.)
• (The work of protecting secrets demands ongoing alertness.)

Advanced Usage

• "Counter-intelligence operations": specific missions or procedures designed to detect and thwart espionage.

  • The embassy increased its counter-intelligence operations after the leak of classified documents. (The embassy heightened its protective measures.)

• "Counter-intelligence officer": a person trained to conduct or oversee counter-intelligence activities.

  • She served as a counter-intelligence officer for ten years, specializing in detecting double agents. (She worked to find and stop spies.)

Variants and Related Words

• Counter-intelligence (adj): describing something related to counter-intelligence.

  • The counter-intelligence report was classified. (The report about anti-spy activities was secret.)

• Counterespionage (n): a synonym for counter-intelligence, specifically focused on countering espionage.

  • Counterespionage is a key part of national security. (The effort to stop spying is vital.)

Synonyms

• Counterespionage: actions taken to oppose or prevent espionage.
• Security intelligence: intelligence activities aimed at protecting an organization from subversion or sabotage.

Related Idioms

• To run a counter-intelligence operation: to manage efforts to detect and stop enemy spies.

  • The general ran a counter-intelligence operation to protect troop movements. (He directed the defensive intelligence work.)

• To be in counter-intelligence: to work in the field of preventing enemy intelligence gathering.

  • He was in counter-intelligence for most of his career. (His job was to stop espionage.)