counteroffensive

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv 

: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

Synonyms

• counterassault
• counterattack
• counterpunch
• counterstrike

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

counteroffensive

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌfen(t)-siv 

: a large-scale counterattack