counterpunch

American  

[koun-ter-puhnch] / ˈkaʊn tərˌpʌntʃ /

noun

1. counterblow.

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counterpunch British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌpʌntʃ /

verb

1. to punch an attacking opponent; return an attack

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noun

1. a return punch

Etymology

Origin of counterpunch

First recorded in 1675–85; counter- + punch ¹

Example Sentences

Iran had for two years responded to foreign attacks with limited counterpunches directed at its attacker.

From The Wall Street Journal

With every swing from USC’s offense early, Nebraska seemed to have a counterpunch.

From Los Angeles Times

But it also faced bans from radio stations and attracted musical counterpunches, most notably Barry Sadler’s patriotic No. 1 hit, “The Ballad of the Green Berets.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Typically, he loves to counterpunch against criticism, but oddly, this time, he didn’t.

From Barron's

Yet both possess a knack for the quick counterpunch.

From The Wall Street Journal