counterattack

American  

[kaun-ter-uh-tak, kaun-ter-uh-tak, kaun-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

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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

Mateo Chávez opened the scoring in the 55th minute with the help of Mexico’s lethal counterattack.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 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

Following the collapse of talks, Lululemon launched a counterattack, urging shareholders to reject Wilson’s nominees and instead vote for its own slate, which it called “vastly superior to Wilson’s.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 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

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Related Words

• reprisal
• retribution
• revenge

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