counteract
verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈakt 
counteracted; counteracting; counteracts
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence
a drug used to counteract fatigue
Synonyms
Examples of counteract in a Sentence
The drug will counteract the poison.
this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
Recent Examples on the Web
Zero-tolerance measures can counteract what some experts consider a crucial tool for protecting students and the larger community.
by Aliyya Swaby April 17, 5 a.m. EDT
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ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
—
Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 17 Apr. 2024
Sometimes, sharing our grief with others who knew the deceased can counteract the loneliness of loss.
—Vogue, 8 Apr. 2024
Also on offer was the trou normand, or Norman hole—a shot of Calvados served over apple sorbet, which is said to counteract the sensation of a full stomach.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Mounting evidence suggests that capsaicin—the molecule that gives chilis their heat—can counteract some of the less desirable side effects of alcohol, including inflammation in the gut that has been tied to digestive issues and even gastric cancers.
—Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 29 Mar. 2024
The ads come courtesy of the Congressional Integrity Project, a group of Democratic strategists launched in 2022 that looks to counteract the power of the House majority.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
The man was given a dose of Narcan, which can counteract the effects of opioids, but was later pronounced dead, according to the agency.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Hope and momentum from climate techs investors is desperately needed to counteract the recent decline in investment in climate tech.
—Marianne Lehnis, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Ohtani is the type of player who transcends the sport and counteracts the downward trend in baseball’s national appeal more than anyone else.
—Harry Enten, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 17 Apr. 2024
Sometimes, sharing our grief with others who knew the deceased can counteract the loneliness of loss.
—Vogue, 8 Apr. 2024
Also on offer was the trou normand, or Norman hole—a shot of Calvados served over apple sorbet, which is said to counteract the sensation of a full stomach.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Mounting evidence suggests that capsaicin—the molecule that gives chilis their heat—can counteract some of the less desirable side effects of alcohol, including inflammation in the gut that has been tied to digestive issues and even gastric cancers.
—Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 29 Mar. 2024
The ads come courtesy of the Congressional Integrity Project, a group of Democratic strategists launched in 2022 that looks to counteract the power of the House majority.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
The man was given a dose of Narcan, which can counteract the effects of opioids, but was later pronounced dead, according to the agency.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Hope and momentum from climate techs investors is desperately needed to counteract the recent decline in investment in climate tech.
—Marianne Lehnis, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Ohtani is the type of player who transcends the sport and counteracts the downward trend in baseball’s national appeal more than anyone else.
—Harry Enten, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counteract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near counteract
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteract. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counteract
verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to lessen the force, action, or influence of : offset
a drug that counteracts a poison
Medical Definition
counteract
transitive verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by an opposite force
vitamin K counteracts the effects of warfarin
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