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counterpunch

American

[koun-ter-puhnch] / ˈkaʊn tərˌpʌntʃ /

noun

counterblow.

counterpunch British

/ ˈkaʊntəˌpʌntʃ /

verb

to punch an attacking opponent; return an attack

"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

noun

a return punch

"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 counterpunch

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

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.

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

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

Yet both possess a knack for the quick counterpunch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

Like his father, 15-year-old Carlos Jr. can dodge punches and counterpunch.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2025

Neither industry has figured out a guaranteed counterpunch, and their futures remain very much in doubt.

From Slate • Dec. 3, 2023

His immediate reaction was to counterpunch but he held himself in control.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023