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
Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
In the 29th minute, he was dispossessed and Villa countered, with Ollie Watkins getting his toe to a cross and forcing a save from Jorgensen’s boot.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Zoya Hasan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
As World War II ended, the wartime alliance produced two longer-term partnerships built on the understanding that working together had produced a powerful and effective counter to fascism.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025
Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2025
Our tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption, or terrorism.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Jan. 2025
Jess Craig, Vox, 5 Dec. 2024
The idea that a student should get a leg up because of where his or her parents went to school runs counter to basic American notions of fairness and earned opportunity.
—Frederick Hess, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for counter
Verb
In a commemorative edition of his book Five Days in November — his firsthand account of the assassination, co-written with his wife — Hill countered conspiracy theories that have long surrounding the assassination.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
In the 29th minute, he was dispossessed and Villa countered, with Ollie Watkins getting his toe to a cross and forcing a save from Jorgensen’s boot.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
But over the last few weeks, bagel eaters around the city have been confronted with some unfortunate news: Signs are plastered across shop counters stating a $1.25 additional surcharge for any bagel sandwiches featuring eggs.
—Zoya Hasan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
As World War II ended, the wartime alliance produced two longer-term partnerships built on the understanding that working together had produced a powerful and effective counter to fascism.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
There will be multiple times in his tenure where the man with the final say insists making a decision or two that is counter to what the head coach wants.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2025
Our tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption, or terrorism.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Jan. 2025
Adverb
But the idea of mass distributing antibiotics to reduce childhood mortality runs entirely counter to that.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 5 Dec. 2024
The idea that a student should get a leg up because of where his or her parents went to school runs counter to basic American notions of fairness and earned opportunity.
—Frederick Hess, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
-
No executions have been carried out in Louisiana since 2010 due to the state’s struggles to get the drugs necessary for lethal injection and scant political will (Landry’s predecessor, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, was opposed to the death penalty).—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
-
For example, the association opposes the federal Community Reinvestment Act, which is designed to encourage lending to lower-income and other groups but which, the ABA said, discourages bankers from offering certain products or lending outside of their area networks.—
Russ Wiles,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Senate's adoption is an early step in the process, which requires detailed work by committees to work out the details of spending, as well as of any offsets to help pay for the additional funds.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The latest: Although the scope of the offsets is not entirely clear, lobbyists and aides don't expect using major — or possibly any — health policy changes as payfors.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
These are the polar opposite of the massive Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson concerts of his past, but that’s precisely the point.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Andrew Scott’s composer is the opposite of Hart in every way, as the pair were described in life.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s what happened in Cleveland, where business advocates didn’t see much negative impact to local shops simply because there weren’t many there to begin with, Shah recalls.—
Elliott Wenzler,
The Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2025
-
For some pets, especially those with past negative experiences, loud noises, sudden movements, or aggressive tones can be triggering.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Asteroids are known to range in size from around 329 miles in diameter (i.e. Vesta, which accounts for 9 percent of the total mass of all asteroids) down to a matter of feet across, like today's passerby.—
Ian Randall,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Tucked away behind walls and gates in 90210’s desirable Flats neighborhood, the property includes a modern mansion and a spacious guesthouse spread across just under an acre of land facing the Hollywood Hills.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Formulated with zinc pyrithione (this is what actively fights flaky skin), squalane (boosts shine), and sugar kelp extract (prevents inflammation and bacteria growth), this is a total powerhouse haircare product.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Russia has skirted around Pokrovsk, a city key to Ukrainian defenses in the east, rather than fighting inside the settlement.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Presented to the public in two segments, Lightfoot’s report showed the village went from having healthy budget balances to a multimillion-dollar deficit since Henyard was elected mayor.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
-
After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be a non-variable rate of 17.99%.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In a notable thawing of tensions between Russia and the U.S., Trump even promised to visit Moscow, and said Putin would be welcome in Washington, D.C. The president has also become increasingly hostile toward Ukraine.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
-
China’s relentless nuclear buildup, its hostile espionage operations, its militant rhetoric, and, above all, its support for Russia suggest that Xi has already made his call and that a confrontation with the United States is inevitable.—
Sergey Radchenko,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share