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
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Recent Examples of counterattack
At least nine people were reported killed in Yemen and 16 were injured in Israel in attacks and counterattacks over the last week or so as the two sides ramped up their long-simmering conflict.
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Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
The virus’s components have strong similarities to our own cells’ bits and pieces, making our immune systems less likely to launch full-scale counterattacks.
—Ingfei Chen, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
To what degree Russia might feel the need to involve itself with any counterattack remains to be seen.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Putin as a child is shown being beaten by Russian classmates and, again, the character’s counterattacks seem distinctly Putin-like.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterattack 
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
The virus’s components have strong similarities to our own cells’ bits and pieces, making our immune systems less likely to launch full-scale counterattacks.
—Ingfei Chen, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
To what degree Russia might feel the need to involve itself with any counterattack remains to be seen.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Putin as a child is shown being beaten by Russian classmates and, again, the character’s counterattacks seem distinctly Putin-like.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterattack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
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Newsom has recently come under attack by critics of his handling of the historic wildfires.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025
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After much debate, the city finally decided to keep the reservoir open and use it for emergencies such as earthquakes, droughts and terror attacks, The Times reported in 2002.Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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In September 2022, Ukrainian forces launched a successful counteroffensive in northern Kharkiv region.Katya Soldak, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
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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 20 Jan. 2025.
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