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View synonyms for

counterattack

[ noun koun-ter-uh-tak; verb koun-ter-uh-tak, koun-ter-uh-tak ]

noun

  1. an attack made as an offset or reply to another attack.
  2. Military. an attack by a ground combat unit to drive back an enemy attack.


verb (used with object)

  1. to make a counterattack against.

verb (used without object)

  1. to deliver a counterattack.

counterattack

/ ˈ첹ʊԳəəˌæ /

noun

  1. an attack in response to an attack
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make a counterattack (against)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of counterattack1

First recorded in 1915–20; counter- + attack
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

For Maine — and perhaps for California — the legal counterattack will argue that the Trump administration is overreaching in two ways: asserting authority outside its jurisdiction and violating laws that govern the process for withdrawing funding.

From

Lifting martial law during a temporary ceasefire could create unexpected consequences – including the flight of hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the front line – just as Russia prepared a counterattack.

From

Less than two minutes later, a Canadian counterattack was spoiled by a hard tackle in the box.

From

Panama took a defensive posture from the start, playing with a five-man back line and crowding the midfield with four more, generating what little offense it produced on the counterattack.

From

All have counterattacked; on Monday, China imposed tariffs on U.S. farm products, thus hitting Trump’s rural base.

From

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