counterattack

noun

coun·​ter·​at·​tack ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌtak How to pronounce counterattack (audio)
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
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
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

Examples of counterattack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sudden public backlash prompted one consultant to pitch Juul on a counterattack — one that would use a dark money group associated with former Libertarian congressman Bob Barr and enlisted the support of prominent Christian conservative Rebecca Hagelin. Nicholas Florko, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024 If indeed the 3rd Assault Brigade has deployed to the city, expect counterattacks targeting the Russian positions near Hrushevsky Street. David Axe, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 Many members of that community have sharply blamed the Biden administration for not doing more to rein in an Israeli counterattack in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of people since Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7 of last year. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 7 Feb. 2024 The team was eventually made to pay for its profligacy in front of goal as Real Madrid caught Leipzig on the counterattack after 65 minutes, with Jude Bellingham bursting forward and setting up Vinícius Jr. for an emphatic finish. Matias Grez, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the Galaxy absorbed pressure and were lethal on counterattacks, giving the Quakes something to work on during training this week. Harold Gutmann, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 As Israel wages its counterattack against Hamas, doubt festers: Is Israel justified in its retaliation? Haley Strack, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024 Puig intercepted a pass by Messi, but in the rush to start a counterattack, inadvertently returned the ball to him. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 One historical example: United Nations forces’ retreat from the Chosin Reservoir in Korea in late 1950 preserved U.S. and allied forces, weakened Chinese forces and set conditions for later U.N. counterattacks. David Axe, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterattack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterattack was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near counterattack

Cite this Entry

“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterattack. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

counterattack

noun
coun·​ter·​at·​tack
ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌtak
: an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
counterattack verb

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