counterculture

noun

coun·ter·cul·ture ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌkəl-chər

: a culture with values and mores that run counter to those of established society

countercultural

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rəl

-ˈkəl-chə-

adjective

counterculturalism

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rə-ˌli-zəm

-ˈkəl-chə-

noun

counterculturist

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rə-list

-ˈkəl-chə-

noun

Examples of counterculture in a Sentence

the counterculture of the hippies He was part of the antiwar counterculture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The counterculture was defeated, and in its place came plague, death, and Reaganism. —

Brandon Sanchez, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024 The liberal Bay Area city, known for its hippie counterculture, free speech and anti-war movements, helped shape Harris early on. —

Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 Hosting a variety of different genres and countercultures throughout its existence, artists ranging from metal, rock, and emo to pop, indie, and hip-hop genres were commonly grouped together on a Warped Tour bill. —

Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 Interestingly, music and the musician’s role in shaping ’60s counterculture, and thus the course of history, seems to be on a lot of documentarian’s minds this year. —

Lauren Wissot, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counterculture

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of counterculture was in 1947

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counterculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterculture. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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