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

Counterattack and tight four-man defence were relentlessly applied.

From The Guardian • Feb. 24, 2017

Sir: Your story . . . contained the statement that Mary Margaret McBride has been denounced in Counterattack . . . because she has endorsed Polish hams .

From Time Magazine Archive

Members were obviously prepared to put the heat on advertisers who hired any of the 151 actors, writers and directors listed in Counterattack* or Red Channels �and presumably, anyone else who attracted the committee's suspicions.

From Time Magazine Archive

He shrugged off as "hot air" the "Budenz lies" and the accusations of the "black-hand . . . newsletter, Counterattack."

From Time Magazine Archive

His first big job: a research assignment from Columbia Pictures which resulted in the clearing of one of its stars who had been named in Counterattack as a Communist sympathizer.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• reprisal
• retribution
• revenge