as in attack
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 counterattack Yet when North Korea invaded South Korea, the United States intervened forcefully, pushing up to the Chinese border and provoking a ferocious Chinese counterattack. Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Moreover, the growing lack of troops combined with Russia's high equipment losses could weaken Russia's defensive capabilities and pave way for further counterattacks by Ukraine. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 Sherwood racked up a team-high five shots on goal with a couple of dangerous looks on the counterattack in the second period. Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025 Cavazos and his soldiers destroyed the base and withdrew under a heavy counterattack. Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for counterattack 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
  • For more on how to protect yourself from this type of attack, see our advice on avoiding phishing scams.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The 90 Palestinian detainees and prisoners who were freed Sunday were women and minors, but upcoming releases of some 1,900 more are expected to include adult men who carried out deadly attacks on Israeli civilians.
    Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • After the summer counteroffensive faltered in the face of Russia's extensive use of drones, the U.S. ramped up support for Ukrainian drone manufacturers in September, 2023, strengthening ties between American tech companies and Ukrainian producers.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • As Ukraine’s stunning counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson in the fall of 2022 got underway, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continued to call on Washington to provide Kyiv with longer-range missiles.
    Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.
    Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.
    Reuters, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2023

Thesaurus Entries Near counterattack

Cite this Entry

“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattack. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

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