counteroffensive

coun·ter·of·fen·sive

noun \ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv\

Definition of COUNTEROFFENSIVE

: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

Examples of COUNTEROFFENSIVE

1. They mounted a counteroffensive against the enemy.
2. <the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn>

First Known Use of COUNTEROFFENSIVE

1909

Related to COUNTEROFFENSIVE

Synonyms: counterassault, counterattack, counterpunch, counterstrike

Related Words: sally, sortie; blitzkrieg, charge; assault, attack, offensive, onslaught

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