counteract
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- counteractant adjective
- counteracter noun
- counteractingly adverb
- counteraction noun
- counteractive adjective
- counteractively adverb
- counteractor noun
- noncounteractive adjective
- uncounteracted adjective
Etymology
Origin of counteract
Explanation
To counteract is to work against something in an attempt to reverse it or cancel it out. You can try to counteract the neighbors' annoyance at your loud music by bringing them some homemade brownies. When you counteract something, you act counter — or in opposition — to it. To counteract rising global temperatures, we have to reduce the greenhouse gases flowing into the atmosphere. In order to counteract the effects of a long sleepless night, you may want to drink a cup of coffee or tea. And a good way to counteract a limited vocabulary is to learn a new word every day!
Vocabulary lists containing counteract
"Don't ban peanuts at school"
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Academic Vocabulary, Unit 3
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Part 3 Vocabulary (Unit 3)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
None of it did much to counteract the sense that life had become too expensive.
From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026
Announcing its approval, the FCC said the deal would help "counteract the growing imbalance of power" between local broadcast TV stations and the large media firms, including Fox, Disney and Paramount, that dominate programming.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
The researchers evaluated whether WUSTL0717 could counteract the severe weight loss that often follows small bowel resection.
From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given suggested earlier this season that keeping players up while defending corners could be an effective way to counteract Arsenal's threat.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
Sensing the problem, the ascent software angled the ship into the wind to counteract it.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
