counterpunch

noun

coun·​ter·​punch ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpənch How to pronounce counterpunch (audio)
: a counter in boxing
also : a countering blow or attack
counterpunch intransitive verb
counterpuncher noun

Examples of counterpunch in a Sentence

the last, desperate counterpunch of the German armies, known as the Battle of the Bulge
Recent Examples on the Web But the lack of an equal counterpunch from Iran is also raising questions about its strategy. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jan. 2024 Nearly wiping out that huge deficit, the Bruins pulled within 57-56 on Sebastian Mack’s driving layup before the Matadors (8-3) delivered a massive counterpunch. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2023 The doubles, served with slivers of fresh-cut cucumber and a pair of condiments, including a spicy fruit chutney, were the vegetarian counterpunch, every bit the equal of the burger in the categories that matter most: flavor and sheer face-stuffing satisfaction. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023 But the push indicated Russia hopes to further blunt Ukraine’s counteroffensive with its own counterpunch, coming as the weather starts to worsen. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2023 Three kilometers from the end of the stage, as fans set off flares beside them, Pogacar flipped the script with a surprising counterpunch and won the stage, gaining 24 seconds back. Kevin Draper, New York Times, 23 July 2023 Against a high-scoring and well-regarded Hawkeyes team, Whalen said her team had to be better at absorbing the kind of counterpunch a good team will throw at them. Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune, 9 Jan. 2021 Depicting problems at the border as an invasion, and using that to justify a military counterpunch, angers Mexicans. Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023 And along those lines, not even a tag team of your martial arts friends will deter the European Union from its relentless counterpunches to your business operations. Steven Levy, WIRED, 14 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterpunch.' 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

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterpunch was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near counterpunch

Cite this Entry

“Counterpunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpunch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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