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
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
The month the Ukrainian counteroffensive started in September 2022 saw the highest tally of Russian equipment losses of 1,179 units linked to the retreat from Kharkiv.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Russia has also breached a sacred tenet of nuclear security by launching attacks against Ukraine from military bases that store nuclear warheads, thus making those bases a legitimate target for counteroffensives.
—William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Russia has had the battlefield initiative since late last year, when a Ukrainian counteroffensive petered out.
—Hanna Arhirova and Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
In response, Israel mounted a crushing counteroffensive, killing more than 41,000 Palestinians over the last year in brutal air and ground attacks that have left Gaza in ruins.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteroffensive 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Russia has also breached a sacred tenet of nuclear security by launching attacks against Ukraine from military bases that store nuclear warheads, thus making those bases a legitimate target for counteroffensives.
—William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Russia has had the battlefield initiative since late last year, when a Ukrainian counteroffensive petered out.
—Hanna Arhirova and Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
In response, Israel mounted a crushing counteroffensive, killing more than 41,000 Palestinians over the last year in brutal air and ground attacks that have left Gaza in ruins.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteroffensive
Articles Related to counteroffensive
Dictionary Entries Near counteroffensive
Cite this Entry
“Counteroffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteroffensive. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counteroffensive
noun
coun·ter·of·fen·sive
ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌfen(t)-siv
: a large-scale counterattack
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share