counterargument

American  

[kaun-ter-ahr-gyuh-muhnt] / ˈkaʊn tərˌɑr gjə mənt /

noun

• counterarguments
  plural

1. a contrasting, opposing, or refuting argument.

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Usage

What does counterargument mean? A counterargument is an argument that is issued in response to someone else’s argument to show that the original claim is somehow incorrect. An argument, in this context, is a series of reasons used to make a claim. A counterargument is always a response—its point is to refute (prove wrong) the original argument. The term is most commonly used in formal contexts, like debates or courtroom settings, but it can also be used in informal contexts, like everyday discussions. Example: The debate team worked diligently to prepare a counterargument that disproved their opponents’ stance.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• counterarguments
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of counterargument

First recorded in 1860–65; counter- + argument

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Explanation

A counterargument is the thoughtful response you give when you disagree with someone's ideas or claims. In criminal court, a defense attorney usually gives a counterargument to the prosecutor's accusations. A counterargument is really just what it sounds like — an argument that runs counter to someone else's original argument. In this case, counter means "against" or "in response to," from the Latin root contra, "opposite, against, or in return." A true counterargument is well thought out, countering each idea with a set of reasons proving that the opposite is true.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

counterargument counterarguments

The counterargument is that the case for waiting depends on assumptions that aren’t holding up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

The only real difference is Fifa did put its counterargument forward in the early hours of Friday - along with an assertion its "planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports".

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

If their views diverged, they listened to each other instead of silently preparing a counterargument.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

But prominent economist Torsten Sløk is floating a counterargument that inflation may not fall as expected.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

I’d been readying my counterargument for when Ba got over being furious and decided it was time for me to return to my classes.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Wall Street also had more time to digest the Citrini scenario and offer counterarguments.

From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026

Its edge comes from speed and breadth — reviewing more scenarios, more counterarguments and more data in much less time.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 25, 2026

The search results provided do not contain documented opposing perspectives or counterarguments from credible sources that directly address or contest the concerns raised in this article.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2026

Critics of private equity, though, offer several counterarguments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2025

Of course, responsible writers have to deal with counterarguments and counterevidence.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

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Related Words

• rebuttal
• repartee
• retort

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