Countermeasure: meaning, definitions and examples

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countermeasure

 

[ ˈkaʊntərˌmɛʒər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

security

A measure or action taken to prevent or counteract a harmful or undesirable situation.

Synonyms

defense, precaution, remedy, safeguard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
countermeasure

This is suitable when referring to an action or strategy taken to counteract a threat or danger, especially in military, cybersecurity, or strategic contexts.

  • The government implemented several countermeasures to prevent cyberattacks.
  • Deploying antiviruses and firewalls are essential countermeasures against malware.
precaution

Suitable for actions taken in advance to prevent something dangerous, unpleasant, or inconvenient from happening. Often used in daily life and health-related contexts.

  • As a precaution, always wear a seatbelt while driving.
  • The doctor recommended getting vaccinated as a precaution against the flu.
safeguard

Use this word when talking about something that is meant to protect someone or something from harm or damage. It can apply in legal, financial, and general protection contexts.

  • Childproof locks are a safeguard to keep toddlers safe.
  • The new regulation acts as a safeguard against fraud.
defense

Use this word when talking about protecting against attack, danger, or injury. It is commonly used in contexts related to physical protection, sports, and legal settings.

  • The castle's defense system was impenetrable.
  • The lawyer's defense strategy was to prove the client's innocence.
  • In soccer, a strong defense can win matches.
remedy

Best used when talking about a means of counteracting or eliminating something undesirable, often in the context of health or correcting a specific problem.

  • A hot tea with honey is a good remedy for a sore throat.
  • The manager proposed several remedies to improve employee satisfaction.

Examples of usage

  • Installing antivirus software on your computer is a common countermeasure against cyber attacks.
  • Regularly changing your passwords is an important countermeasure to protect your online accounts.
  • Implementing firewalls and encryption are effective countermeasures to enhance cybersecurity.
  • Training employees on how to identify phishing emails is a proactive countermeasure to prevent data breaches.
  • Conducting regular security audits is a recommended countermeasure to assess vulnerabilities.

Translations

Translations of the word "countermeasure" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contramedida

🇮🇳 प्रतिविधान

🇩🇪 Gegenmaßnahme

🇮🇩 langkah penanggulangan

🇺🇦 контрзахід

🇵🇱 środek zaradczy

🇯🇵 対策 (たいさく)

🇫🇷 contre-mesure

🇪🇸 contramedida

🇹🇷 karşı önlem

🇰🇷 대책

🇸🇦 تدبير مضاد

🇨🇿 protiopatření

🇸🇰 protiopatrenie

🇨🇳 对策 (duìcè)

🇸🇮 protikorak

🇮🇸 mótráðstöfun

🇰🇿 қарсы шара

🇬🇪 საწინააღმდეგო ზომა

🇦🇿 əks tədbir

🇲🇽 contramedida

Etymology

The term 'countermeasure' originated in the military context, where it referred to actions taken to counteract or neutralize enemy forces or tactics. Over time, the concept of countermeasures expanded to various fields, including cybersecurity, healthcare, and engineering, where proactive measures are implemented to mitigate risks or threats. The emphasis on prevention and response continues to shape the use of countermeasures in modern contexts.

See also: immeasurability, immeasurable, measurable, measurably, measured, measurement, measurements, measures, measuring, unmeasurability, unmeasurable.