counteract

[ koun-ter-akt ]
See synonyms for: counteractcounteracting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to act in opposition to; frustrate by contrary action.

Origin of counteract

1
First recorded in 1670–80; counter- + act

Other words for counteract

Other words from counteract

  • coun·ter·ac·tant, adjective
  • coun·ter·act·er, coun·ter·ac·tor, noun
  • coun·ter·act·ing·ly, adverb
  • coun·ter·ac·tion, noun
  • coun·ter·ac·tive, adjective
  • coun·ter·ac·tive·ly, adverb
  • non·coun·ter·ac·tive, adjective
  • un·coun·ter·act·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use counteract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for counteract

counteract

/ (ˌkaʊntərˈækt) /


verb
  1. (tr) to oppose, neutralize, or mitigate the effects of by contrary action; check

Derived forms of counteract

  • counteraction, noun
  • counteractive, adjective
  • counteractively, adverb

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