counterblast

American  

[kaun-ter-blast, -blahst] / ˈkaʊn tərˌblæst, -ˌblɑst /

noun

1. an unrestrained and vigorously powerful response to an attacking statement.

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counterblast British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌblɑːst /

noun

1. an aggressive response to a verbal attack

2. a blast that counteracts another

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Etymology

Origin of counterblast

First recorded in 1560–70; counter- + blast

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

counterblast

“The Silk Roads: A New History of the World” is a counterblast to another ambitious book from an earlier generation, J.M.

From Economist ● Aug. 20, 2015

We can also expect the beginning of a counterblast of speeches, editorials and comments from those in charge of the CIA at the time attacking the Congressional report.

From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2014

But always with that original note hanging in the air, as both counterblast and guiding horn.

From The New Yorker ● Oct. 6, 2014

Nevertheless, for all his reasonableness, The Last Days of Detroit is a sustained counterblast to the received wisdom that the city is a place devoid of hope and doomed to a terminal, post-industrial decline.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 13, 2013

Here came the counterblast, when Louis, son of King Philip II. of France, received the kingdom from the assembled magnates.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul An Account of the Old and New Buildings with a Short Historical Sketch by Arthur Dimock

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