counter 1 of 4

counter

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noun

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

counter

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adjective

counter

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adverb

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
Verb
During debate, the budget-writing lawmakers countered that the proposal wasn’t a cut, just a delay. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025 Supporters have countered that states will have the flexibility to figure out solutions for those affected. John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
Hand-cleaning edges under counters and by baseboards in bathrooms is a good idea, too. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025 On the other side of the capital, thousands of people who support the present republican system of government gathered Friday for a counter rally. Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Bipartisan history Congress created the National Endowment for Democracy in 1983 to support democracy, extend American soft power and counter Soviet influence. Frank Langfitt, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025 All of his hits are off right-handers, which is counter to his career norms. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Adverb
Many employees said their instructions also seemed counter to DOGE's focus on increasing accountability and government oversight. Rachel Siegel The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025 So, the firings seem counter to the exceptions that downsizing would include law enforcement personnel who perform an essential national security function for the U.S. government. Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
  • Based on pre- and post-debate data collected from the audience, Sey's stance on opposing trans athletes in women's sports appeared to be the winning argument.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Prosecutors opposed the motion, pointing to a lack of legal precedent.
    Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Individuals employed by the government in jobs which were not covered by Social Security previously could not collect Social Security upon retirement because of the offset of their public pension against Social Security to prevent a windfall.
    Wendy Hickey, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
  • That process may be referred to as offsetting the payment, administrative offset, or offset.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Or the opposite, how a finished piece of clothing can be artfully and efficiently explained on paper.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Some have claimed that digital technology could negatively impact cognitive abilities, but researchers from Baylor University have discovered just the opposite.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the negative effects on the economy could be significant, prompting the Fed to lower rates sooner and more sharply.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The evidence for this is her (few) actions at the tournament, which are being construed as overwhelmingly negative.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • In one round, they were all told to walk as straight across as possible—or with essentially zero degrees of deviation.
    Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The clash occurred just over two billion years ago in ancient South Africa, forming the largest impact structure on Earth: a massive crater almost 200 miles across.
    Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As the war lurched into its fourth year, Russian losses of tanks, fighting vehicles and other heavy equipment had exceeded 20,000, according to the analysts at the Oryx intelligence collective, which confirms each loss with imagery from the front line.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The court fight over Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia is a most unusual one in that no one denies that the government violated the law in deporting him.
    The Editors, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Interest begins accruing the day after the tax deadline on any unpaid balance.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The white flowers also provide a balance to the golden design.
    Celeste Polanco, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations – most of them from Afghanistan – Pakistan has not always welcomed the foreigners, subjecting them to hostile living conditions and threatening deportation over the years.
    Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Andreas typically waits until there have been three instances of potential hostile communication before asking her friend or colleague if everything is OK.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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