counterfire

noun

coun·​ter·​fire ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌfī(-ə)r 

variants or counter-fire

: the firing of weapons (such as firearms, artillery, or missiles) in response to the firing of weapons by another person or group

There was no appreciable counterfire from Montgomery's tanks or artillery.

—Robert Denny

also : the bullets, shells, etc., that are discharged in counterfire

His unit was firing on enemy positions on Aug. 10, 1918, when they were hit by counterfire.

—Perry A. Farrell

Examples of counterfire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Ukrainians have been increasingly frustrated by the superior range of Russian artillery and cruise missiles that can hit Ukrainian troops and towns while remaining out of range of counterfire. —Michael Peck, Forbes, 2 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above