counter

1 of 7

noun (1)

count·​er ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games

2

: something of value in bargaining : asset

3

: a level surface (such as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted

jewelry counter

a lunch counter

counter

2 of 7

noun (2)

count·​er ˈkau̇n-tər 

plural counters

: a person or thing that counts something

… I would just tell them I am a very fast counter.

—Judy Blume

especially : a device or process for indicating a number or amount

a counter that records how many times a website is visited

As they entered the main door on Fifth Avenue, the guard clicked off two numbers on his people counter.

—E. L. Konigsburg

counter

3 of 7

verb

coun·​ter ˈkau̇n-tər 

countered; countering ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to act in opposition to : oppose

b

: offset, nullify

tried to counter the trend toward depersonalization

2

: to assert in answer

We countered that our warnings had been ignored.

intransitive verb

: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps

counter

4 of 7

adverb

coun·​ter ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: in an opposite or wrong direction

2

: to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect

values that run counter to those of society

counter

5 of 7

noun (3)

coun·​ter ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: contrary, opposite

2

: the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang

3

a

: the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing)

also : a blow thus given in boxing

b

: an agency or force that offsets : check

4

: a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel

5

: an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes

6

: a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play

counter

6 of 7

adjective

coun·​ter ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect

2

: given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy

3

: situated or lying opposite

the counter side

4

: recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding

counter orders from the colonel

counter-

7 of 7

prefix

1

a

: contrary : opposite

counterclockwise

countermarch

b

: opposing : retaliatory

counterforce

counteroffensive

2

: complementary : corresponding

counterweight

counterpart

3

: duplicate : substitute

counterfoil

Phrases

over the counter

1

: in or through a broker's office rather than through a stock exchange

stock bought over the counter

2

: without a prescription

drugs available over the counter

under the counter

: by surreptitious means : in an illicit and private manner

workers being paid under the counter

Synonyms

Verb

• battle
• combat
• contend (with)
• fight
• oppose
• oppugn

Noun (3)

• balance
• canceler
• canceller
• corrective
• counteraction
• counterbalance
• counterforce
• counterpoise
• counterweight
• equipoise
• neutralizer
• offset

Adjective

• adverse
• disadvantageous
• hostile
• inimical
• negative
• prejudicial
• unfavorable
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic
• untoward

Example Sentences

Verb

When they blamed him for the collapse of the bridge, he countered that his warnings about the bridge had been ignored.

“I could say the same thing about you,” she countered.

After she made her point, he could not counter with anything.

Adjective

was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English countour, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin computatorium computing place, from Latin computare — see count entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French cuntur, from cunter to count

Verb

Middle English countren, from Anglo-French cuntre against, opposite, from Latin contra; akin to Latin com- with, together — more at co-

Adverb

Middle English contre, from Anglo-French cuntre

Prefix

Middle English contre-, from Anglo-French, from cuntre

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing counter

• bargaining counter
• counter-agent
• bean counter
• counter-bid
• counter-argue
• counter-argument
• counter-adaptation
• counter-blast
• counter-attack
• counter-campaign
• counter-charge
• counter-blow
• counter check
• counter-coup
• counter-convention
• counter-complaint
• counter-demand
• counter-criticism
• counter-demonstrate
• counter-education
• counter-effort
• counter-force
• counter-government
• counter-fire
• counter-hypothesis
• counter-incentive
• counter-image
• counter-influence
• counter-interpretation
• counter-myth
• counter-order
• counter-play
• counter-power
• counter-project
• counter-question
• counter-propaganda
• counter-rally
• counter-response
• counter-state
• counter space
• counter-step
• counter-statement
• counter-style
• counter-terror
• counter-sue
• counter-tradition
• counter-world
• counter-value
• Geiger counter
• lunch counter
• counter-trend
• over the counter
• counter-cry
• counter-conspiracy
• counter-demonstration
• counter-advertising
• counter-evidence
• counter-aggression
• counter-inflation
• counter-assault
• counter-blockade
• counter-institution
• counter-instance
• counter-countermeasure
• counter-mobilization
• counter-accusation
• counter-strike
• counter-stroke
• counter-memo
• counter-educational
• counter-deployment
• counter-sniper
• counter-tendency
• counter-strategy
• counter-invasion
• Geiger-Müller counter
• counter-adaptive
• counter-demonstrator
• counter-inflationary
• counter-reform
• counter-raid
• counter-movement
• counter-shot
• counter-suit
• counter-attacker
• counter-picket
• counter-petition
• counter-narrative
• under the counter
• counter-spell
• counter-protest
• run counter to
• counter-tactics
• counter-thrust
• scintillation counter
• counter-stream
• counter-suggestion
• counter-pressure
• counter-violence
• counter-reaction
• counter-surveillance
• counter-threat
• counter-protester
• counter-retaliation
• counter-ploy
• counter-terrorism
• counter-reformer
• counter-strategist

See More

• bargaining counter
• counter-agent
• bean counter
• counter-bid
• counter-argue
• counter-argument
• counter-adaptation
• counter-blast
• counter-attack
• counter-campaign
• counter-charge
• counter-blow
• counter check
• counter-coup
• counter-convention
• counter-complaint
• counter-demand
• counter-criticism
• counter-demonstrate
• counter-education
• counter-effort
• counter-force
• counter-government
• counter-fire
• counter-hypothesis
• counter-incentive
• counter-image
• counter-influence
• counter-interpretation
• counter-myth
• counter-order
• counter-play
• counter-power
• counter-project
• counter-question
• counter-propaganda
• counter-rally
• counter-response
• counter-state
• counter space
• counter-step
• counter-statement
• counter-style
• counter-terror
• counter-sue
• counter-tradition
• counter-world
• counter-value
• Geiger counter
• lunch counter
• counter-trend
• over the counter
• counter-cry
• counter-conspiracy
• counter-demonstration
• counter-advertising
• counter-evidence
• counter-aggression
• counter-inflation
• counter-assault
• counter-blockade
• counter-institution
• counter-instance
• counter-countermeasure
• counter-mobilization
• counter-accusation
• counter-strike
• counter-stroke
• counter-memo
• counter-educational
• counter-deployment
• counter-sniper
• counter-tendency
• counter-strategy
• counter-invasion
• Geiger-Müller counter
• counter-adaptive
• counter-demonstrator
• counter-inflationary
• counter-reform
• counter-raid
• counter-movement
• counter-shot
• counter-suit
• counter-attacker
• counter-picket
• counter-petition
• counter-narrative
• under the counter
• counter-spell
• counter-protest
• run counter to
• counter-tactics
• counter-thrust
• scintillation counter
• counter-stream
• counter-suggestion
• counter-pressure
• counter-violence
• counter-reaction
• counter-surveillance
• counter-threat
• counter-protester
• counter-retaliation
• counter-ploy
• counter-terrorism
• counter-reformer
• counter-strategist

See More

Kids Definition

counter

1 of 7 noun

count·​er ˈkau̇nt-ər 

1

: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in counting or in games

2

: a level surface (as a table) over which business is done or food is served or on which goods are displayed

counter

2 of 7 noun

count·​er

: one that counts

especially : a device for indicating a number or amount

counter

3 of 7 verb

coun·​ter

ˈkau̇nt-ər

countered; countering ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ 

ˈkau̇n-triŋ

1

: to act in opposition to : oppose

countering the claim for damages

2

: to give a blow in return

counter with a left hook

counter

4 of 7 adverb

coun·​ter

: in another or opposite direction

acting counter to advice

counter

5 of 7 noun

coun·​ter

1

: the act of giving a return blow

2

: the blow given

counter

6 of 7 adjective

coun·​ter

1

: moving in an opposite direction

the ship slowed by counter tides

2

: designed to oppose

a counter opinion

counter-

7 of 7 prefix

coun·​ter-

1

a

: contrary : opposite

counterclockwise

b

: opposing : retaliatory

counteroffensive

2

: like : matching

counterpart

Medical Definition

counter

1 of 2 noun

count·​er ˈkau̇nt-ər 

: a level surface over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted

a lunch counter

counter

2 of 2 noun

: one that counts

especially : a device for indicating a number or amount see geiger counter

Legal Definition

counter-

prefix

coun·​ter-

ˈkau̇n-tər

1

a

: contrary : opposite

counterletter

b

: opposing : retaliatory

counteraction

2

: complementary : corresponding

countersign

3

: duplicate : substitute

counterpart