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Word Analysis

counterterrorism

Complete linguistic analysis including syllable division, pronunciation, morphology, and definitions.

5 syllables
16 characters
English (US)
Enriched
5syllables

counterterrorism

Linguistic Analysis

Syllables

coun-ter-ter-ror-ism

Pronunciation

/ˌkaʊn.tɚˈtɛr.ər.ɪ.zəm/

Stress

20100

Morphemes

counter- + terror + -ism

Counterterrorism is a 5-syllable compound noun (coun-ter-ter-ror-ism) formed from the prefix 'counter-' (Latin, meaning 'against') + 'terrorism' (terror + -ism). Primary stress falls on the third syllable /tɛr/, with secondary stress on the first syllable /kaʊn/. Division follows morpheme boundaries and the geminate 'rr' is split between syllables. IPA: /ˌkaʊn.tɚˈtɛr.ər.ɪ.zəm/.

Definitions

noun
  1. 1

    Political, military, or intelligence activities designed to prevent, deter, or respond to terrorism

    “The government increased funding for counterterrorism measures.”

    “She works in the counterterrorism division of the FBI.”

    syn:antiterrorismcounter-terror operations
    ant:terrorism

Stress pattern

Secondary stress on first syllable 'coun', primary stress on third syllable 'ter' (the first syllable of 'terror'); remaining syllables unstressed. Stress follows English compound noun pattern.

Syllables

5
coun/kaʊn/
ter/tɚ/
ter/tɛr/
ror/ər/
ism/ɪ.zəm/

coun — Closed syllable with diphthong nucleus; carries secondary stress. ter — Closed syllable with r-colored schwa; unstressed; end of prefix. ter — Closed syllable; carries primary stress; beginning of root 'terror'. ror — Closed syllable with schwa; unstressed; end of root 'terror'. ism — Closed syllable; unstressed; nominal suffix

Word Parts

pre

counter-

Latin-derived prefix from 'contra' meaning 'against'; productive in English for opposition

root

terror

Latin origin 'terror' meaning 'great fear'; forms base of 'terrorism'

suf

-ism

Greek-Latin suffix forming abstract nouns denoting doctrines, practices, or states

Similar Words

ter­ror­ismcoun­ter­in­tel­li­gencecoun­ter­pro­duc­tivean­ti­ter­ror­ism

Morpheme Boundary Rule

The compound is divided at morphological boundaries: counter- + terrorism, and terrorism into terror + -ism

Maximal Onset Principle

Consonants are assigned to the onset of the following syllable where phonotactically legal (e.g., /t/ begins 'ter' syllables)

Geminate Consonant Division

The double 'rr' in 'terror' is split between syllables: ter-ror

Suffix Integrity

The suffix '-ism' is kept as a single syllable unit

  • Compound word with clear internal morpheme boundaries that guide syllabification
  • Double 'r' (geminate) is orthographically split though phonetically it represents a single /r/ sound
  • British vs. American pronunciation differs in r-coloring but not in syllable count or division
  • When used attributively (e.g., 'counterterrorism efforts'), stress pattern remains unchanged
Analysis by claude · 12/30/2025

Nearby Words

17 words
counterterrorism(current)
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