count·er
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər
\
\
Definition of counter
(Entry 1 of 7)
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
over the counter
under 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
: by surreptitious means : in an illicit and private manner
workers being paid under the counter
counter
noun (2)
count·er
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər
\
\
plural counters
Definition of counter (Entry 2 of 7)
: 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
verb
coun·ter
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər
\
\
countered; countering\
ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ
\
\
Definition of counter (Entry 3 of 7)
1a
: to act in opposition to : oppose
2
: to assert in answer
We countered that our warnings had been ignored.
: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps
counter
adverb
coun·ter
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər
\
\
Definition of counter (Entry 4 of 7)
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
noun (3)
coun·ter
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər
\
\
Definition of counter (Entry 5 of 7)
2
: the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang
3a
: 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
adjective
coun·ter
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər
\
\
Definition of counter (Entry 6 of 7)
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-
prefixDefinition of counter- (Entry 7 of 7)
1a
: contrary : opposite
counterclockwise countermarch
b
: opposing : retaliatory
counterforce counteroffensive
2
: complementary : corresponding
counterweight counterpart
3
: duplicate : substitute
counterfoil
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Synonyms & Antonyms for counter
Synonyms: Verb
Synonyms: Noun (3)
- balance,
- canceler
- (or canceller),
- corrective,
- counteraction,
- counterbalance,
- counterforce,
- counterpoise,
- counterweight,
- equipoise,
- neutralizer,
- offset
Synonyms: Adjective
- adverse,
- disadvantageous,
- hostile,
- inimical,
- negative,
- prejudicial,
- unfavorable,
- unfriendly,
- unsympathetic,
- untoward
Antonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of counter in a Sentence
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
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Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counter. Accessed 26 Sep. 2021.
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More Definitions for counter
counter
verb
English Language Learners Definition of counter (Entry 3 of 3)
: to do something in defense or in response to something
: to make (something) less effective or ineffective
: to say (something) in response to something that another person has said
See the full definition for counter in the English Language Learners Dictionary
counter
adverb
English Language Learners Definition of counter (Entry 4 of 3)
: in a way that goes against or does not agree with something
counter-
prefixEnglish Language Learners Definition of counter- (Entry 7 of 3)
: in a direction opposite to
: as a reaction against
counter
noun
count·er
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər
\
\
Kids Definition of counter
(Entry 1 of 6)
1
: a level surface usually higher than a table that is used especially for selling, serving food, displaying things, or working on
2
: a piece used in games or to find a total in adding
counter
noun
count·er
Kids Definition of counter (Entry 2 of 6)
1
: a person whose job is to determine a total
2
: a device for showing a number or amount
counter
verb
coun·ter
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər \
countered; countering
Kids Definition of counter (Entry 3 of 6)
1
: to say in response to something said
"I could say the same about you," he countered.
2
: to act in opposition to : oppose
She countered with a move that ended the game.
counter
adverb
coun·ter
Kids Definition of counter (Entry 4 of 6)
: in another or opposite direction
He will always go counter to advice.
counter
noun
coun·ter
Kids Definition of counter (Entry 5 of 6)
: an answering or opposing force or blow
counter-
prefixKids Definition of counter-
1
: opposite
counterclockwise
2
: opposing
3
: like : matching
counterpart
4
: duplicate : substitute
counter
noun
count·er
| \ ˈkau̇nt-ər
\
\
Medical Definition of counter
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
over the counter
: without a prescription
drugs available over the counter
counter
nounMedical Definition of counter (Entry 2 of 2)
: one that counts
especially
: a device for indicating a number or amount — see geiger counter
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counter-
prefix
coun·ter-
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər \
Legal Definition of counter-
1a
: contrary : opposite
counterletter
b
: opposing : retaliatory
counteraction
2
: complementary : corresponding
countersign
3
: duplicate : substitute
counterpart
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Time Traveler for counter
The first known use of counter was in the 14th century
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