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

It’s been a spirited rebuttal to what’s felt like a counterattack on the inherent values of the World Cup.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

Notice the surge in volume the very next week in April 2025, which recorded a bullish counterattack candle and marked the depth of the long cup base.

From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 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

KHARKIV, Ukraine—A Ukrainian counterattack in the country’s southeast is chipping away at Russian advances there and demonstrating that Kyiv’s forces have got plenty of fight left as Moscow’s invasion stretches into a fifth year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026

Even the commander’s saying that he was aware of a secret counterattack plan to recover Umuahia did not lift their spirits.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• reprisal
• retribution
• revenge