counteract

verb

coun·​ter·​act ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈakt 

counteracted; counteracting; counteracts

transitive verb

: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence

a drug used to counteract fatigue

counteraction

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈak-shən 

noun

counteractive

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈak-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• annul
• cancel (out)
• compensate (for)
• correct
• counterbalance
• counterpoise
• make up (for)
• negative
• neutralize
• offset

Examples of counteract in a Sentence

The drug will counteract the poison.

this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection

Recent Examples on the Web

Recognize that uncertainty also helps counteract overconfidence in AI decisions, especially in data sets prone to historical bias. —Andre Shojaie, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Verdery said that businesses and business associations could, for example, spend $100 million on ambitious media campaigns to counteract the anti-immigrant rhetoric that Fox News churns out every night. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 25 Oct. 2024

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, stress management, and good nutrition may help counteract some of these changes. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024

To counteract clutter, incorporate storage opportunities into your entryway. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

counteract

verb

coun·​ter·​act ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt 

: to lessen the force, action, or influence of : offset

a drug that counteracts a poison

counteraction

-ˈrak-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

counteract

transitive verb

coun·​ter·​act ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt 

: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by an opposite force

vitamin K counteracts the effects of warfarin

counteraction

-ˈrak-shən 

noun