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Synonyms

counterclockwise

American  
[koun-ter-klok-wahyz] / ˌkaʊn tərˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adjective

  1. in a direction opposite to that of the normal rotation of the hands of a clock; not clockwise.


counterclockwise British  
/ ˌkaʊntəˈklɒkˌwaɪz /

adverb

  1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): anticlockwise.  in the opposite direction to the rotation of the hands of a clock

"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

Etymology

Origin of counterclockwise

First recorded in 1885–90; counter- + clockwise

Compare meaning

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Vocabulary lists containing counterclockwise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

These vortices form in pairs that rotate in opposite directions, with one spinning clockwise and the other counterclockwise.

From Science Daily Mar. 7, 2026

In a storm like this, the winds move counterclockwise, Bassill added.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 23, 2026

The dance opens with Abraham in a running solo, winding around the stage in counterclockwise circles.

From New York Times Dec. 4, 2024

In the new image, however, the brightest part of a ring surrounding the black hole has shifted counterclockwise by about 30°.

From Science Magazine Jan. 17, 2024

According to the book, he had to stir counterclockwise until the potion turned clear as water.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

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