as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
strong moral guidance at home is the best counter to the pernicious allure of popular culture
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else
her version of the domestic dispute was almost the exact counter of what actually happened
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in negative
opposed to one's interests
was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of counter
Marc Levy, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Cleveland rallied and tied it at 50-all on a jumper by Harden before the Knicks countered with a 10-1 run.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026
Kyiv’s new alliances there puts it in a position to make counter-conditions on the Pentagon offer.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Skateboarding, a counter-culture sport once frowned upon in the mainstream, has gained popularity in recent years.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
This seems to run counter to McConaughey’s strategy.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for counter
Verb
The progressive left counts Rabb’s success as one of its biggest victories of the year and the latest warning sign that Democratic voters see the party’s leadership as weak and feckless in countering Trump.
—Marc Levy, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Cleveland rallied and tied it at 50-all on a jumper by Harden before the Knicks countered with a 10-1 run.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Noun
The Chadian forces are known to take the fight to the jihadists, which is why the United States liked them in the West Africa counter-terrorism operations.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026
Kyiv’s new alliances there puts it in a position to make counter-conditions on the Pentagon offer.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Adjective
From the standpoint of productivity, however, ephemera often seems counter to efficiency—to getting a coherent story down on paper and ready for publication as soon as humanly possible.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Skateboarding, a counter-culture sport once frowned upon in the mainstream, has gained popularity in recent years.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
Adverb
For example, the Fed boss cannot alter legislative or regulatory tweaks that run counter to the central bank’s wishes.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
This seems to run counter to McConaughey’s strategy.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
-
The coalition opposing the bill, which includes firms with a financial stake in the outcome, has published constituent letters making the human case against reform.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
-
The poll found the majority of Republicans, 52%, and a plurality of MAGA supporters, 45%, oppose the controversial fund set up by the Justice Department to pay people who believe they’ve been victimized by the government.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
This can provide some offset to the security's overall tax inefficiencies.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream over the entire cake to seal in crumbs, using an offset spatula to smooth it evenly.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
In reality, the opposite is true.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
-
Accountability is not the opposite of kindness.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a striking shift, White voters without college degrees that voted to reelect Trump by a huge margin are now net-negative on his job approval.—
Hannah Knowles,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
-
From Xi Jinping’s quest to regain China’s glory, to Vladimir Putin’s attempts at a new Russian empire, to the rise of populist anti-foreign attitudes in the United States, Britain, Germany, and France, negative views of others underpin many of the conflicts in today’s world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
In 1874, the club had space at Markham and Center streets across from what is now the Old State House.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
-
To fulfill their general education language requirement, the Vijums twins took American Sign Language and tackled other courses sitting across from each other in study rooms on campus, where whiteboards were their confidantes.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
While Hulst tried to fight his way through traffic, Serna was in unfamiliar territory.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Aspiring journalist Lily’s camera was recording when the OPEF Marines invaded and began killing both Marsies and the Peacekeepers force that was actually aligned with the Marines and fighting against the Marsies.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
On a macro level, the failure to sign a right-back last summer left the side lacking balance.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
The room struck a balance between wild and bold, while also being cozy and inviting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
That means unlocking our vast energy resources, expanding production, building pipelines, approving infrastructure and increasing exports to allies who need reliable alternatives to hostile regimes.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
The one major exception is agriculture — and that policy has historical roots dating back to World War II, when the Swiss learned the hard way that food security matters for small countries surrounded by hostile powers.—
Richard W. Rahn,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
