counteroffensive

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv How to pronounce counteroffensive (audio)
: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

Examples of counteroffensive in a Sentence

They mounted a counteroffensive against the enemy. the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn
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.
Russian counteroffensives, while successful in halting Ukraine's advances and pushing its soldiers out of the territory gained in the first few weeks, have so far failed to entirely repel Kyiv back to its borders. Hugh Cameron, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 Since a yearlong Russian counteroffensive escalated this fall, however, the loss rate increased—a lot. David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 Kyiv has reported Russian counteroffensives, which have been sluggish in wresting control over the border. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2024 Russian forces occupied Kherson for much of 2022 until a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive liberated the city that fall. David Axe, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counteroffensive 

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counteroffensive was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near counteroffensive

Cite this Entry

“Counteroffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteroffensive. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

counteroffensive

noun
coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌfen(t)-siv How to pronounce counteroffensive (audio)
: a large-scale counterattack
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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