counterargument

American  

[koun-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

Etymology

Origin of counterargument

First recorded in 1860–65; counter- + argument

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

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

To be sure, one counterargument to the “good enough” narrative is that bin Laden envisioned al-Qaida as “the base” on which other groups could then build their Islamist groups and overthrow secular states.

From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2026

The bots possess an exhausting reflex to present both sides of every issue, creating a false, artificial balance even when the counterargument is absurd.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026

While he struggled to find a counterargument, Ron spoke up, evidently following his own train of thought.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

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

Critics of private equity, though, offer several counterarguments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2025

Prosecutors can also seek an indictment before a grand jury, a move that limits what counterarguments defense attorneys can put forth and protects witnesses from cross-examination.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025

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

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• rebuttal
• repartee
• retort