counterstroke

[koun-ter-strohk]

noun

1. a stroke or blow given in return.

2. Medicine/Medical.,  contrecoup.

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterstroke¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; counter- + stroke ¹

Example Sentences

The fighting further delayed Bragg’s planned counterstroke and gave additional time to strengthen the Union center.

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But if China does use force — or is "compelled to take resolute measures," as Xi put it — Beijing would likely have to contend with a U.S. counterstroke.

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In 2014, Sony Pictures broadly released “The Interview” online - an unprecedented counterstroke against the hackers who’d spoiled the Christmas opening of the comedy depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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With the prospect looming of a Supreme Court dominated by Trump-appointed right-wing judges into the foreseeable future, an idea for a possible counterstroke has begun percolating among progressive political analysts and legal theorists: Expand the court from the current nine justices to provide for a more balanced, if not distinctly liberal, bench.

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On Nov. 4, the counterstroke came from California Atty.

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Related Words

• retaliation 
• retribution 
• vengeance