counterattack
noun
coun·ter·at·tack
ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌtak 
variants
or counter-attack
plural counterattacks or counter-attacks
: an attack made in response to or in defense against an attack made by another
a series of attacks and counterattacks
Iraqi forces are advancing into the city of Fallujah, repelling a counter-attack by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) on Tuesday …—
Jack Moore
Jack Moore
counterattack
verb, transitive + intransitive
or counter-attack
counterattacked or counter-attacked; counterattacking or counter-attacking
Syrian rebels including jihadists counter-attacked the army and its allies on Friday aiming to break a weeks-long siege on eastern Aleppo, insurgents said.
—Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall
Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall
counterattacker
noun
or counter-attacker
plural counterattackers or counter-attackers
Finally, the big man, bleeding profusely, succeeded in throwing his counterattacker off him.
—Andrew M. Greeley
Andrew M. Greeley
Examples of counterattack in a Sentence
suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
Recent Examples on the Web
In response, the provincial governor, Juan de Oñate, consulted with Franciscan priests and then ordered a counterattack.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
In overtime, the Wild had the majority of the chances, and finally Faber made a sensational defensive play to create a quick counterattack between Kaprizov and Zuccarello.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and Israel’s counterattack campaign has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to PBS News which cites figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Kirk’s choice of speakers in Tampa triggered a rapid counterattack.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
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.
Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
In overtime, the Wild had the majority of the chances, and finally Faber made a sensational defensive play to create a quick counterattack between Kaprizov and Zuccarello.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
The attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and Israel’s counterattack campaign has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to PBS News which cites figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Kirk’s choice of speakers in Tampa triggered a rapid counterattack.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Cite this Entry
“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterattack. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
