counterattack

American  

[koun-ter-uh-tak, koun-ter-uh-tak, koun-ter-uh-tak] / ˈkaʊn tər əˌtæk, ˌkaʊn tər əˈtæk, ˈkaʊn tər əˌtæk /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a counterattack against.

verb (used without object)

1. to deliver a counterattack.

counterattack British  

/ ˈkaʊntərəˌtæk /

noun

1. an attack in response to an attack

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verb

1. to make a counterattack (against)

Etymology

Origin of counterattack

First recorded in 1915–20; counter- + attack

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

counterattack

Vasily Grossman brought a novelist’s eye to his reporting on the German invasion of the Soviet Union and the Red Army’s counterattack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

The counterattack ended with Yamal firing a shot straight at Austria goalkeeper Alex Schlager one minute into the game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

On the Czech side, coach Miroslav Koubek favors a disciplined and physical approach, with Patrik Schick and Adam Hložek leading the counterattack that will seek to capitalize on any Mexico mistakes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Gomina in turn called the quick-reaction force, or QRF, an elite unit on standby for emergencies, to order a counterattack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

From a scramble of contenders I got one of the jugs, elbowed off a counterattack, opened it, sampled it, choked, and then went through with my original plan by stopping Brinker’s mouth with it.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

• reprisal
• retribution
• revenge