counterattack
noun
coun·ter·at·tack
ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌtak 
variants
or counter-attack
plural counterattacks or counter-attacks
: an attack made in response to or in defense against an attack made by another
a series of attacks and counterattacks
Iraqi forces are advancing into the city of Fallujah, repelling a counter-attack by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) on Tuesday …—
Jack Moore
Jack Moore
counterattack
verb, transitive + intransitive
or counter-attack
counterattacked or counter-attacked; counterattacking or counter-attacking
Syrian rebels including jihadists counter-attacked the army and its allies on Friday aiming to break a weeks-long siege on eastern Aleppo, insurgents said.
—Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall
Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall
counterattacker
noun
or counter-attacker
plural counterattackers or counter-attackers
Finally, the big man, bleeding profusely, succeeded in throwing his counterattacker off him.
—Andrew M. Greeley
Andrew M. Greeley
Examples of counterattack in a Sentence
suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
Recent Examples on the Web
Whatever chemistry is required for incredible players to band together existed immediately, and the remaining outfield players worked hard to support them, defend and create chances to put the ball in behind opponents on counterattacks.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Mani, Laguna Beach’s first player off the bench, added another counterattack goal 27 seconds later for a 4-2 lead after the first period.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
The Mexican team had no interest in trying to match SDFC’s ball-control game, nor did its counterattacks pose many challenges.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
He was also known for his rope-a-dope style of leaning back against the ropes and taking tremendous punishment to let his opponent tire himself out, and before roaring back with a vicious counterattack to win the fight.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
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Josh Gross, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Mani, Laguna Beach’s first player off the bench, added another counterattack goal 27 seconds later for a 4-2 lead after the first period.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
The Mexican team had no interest in trying to match SDFC’s ball-control game, nor did its counterattacks pose many challenges.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
He was also known for his rope-a-dope style of leaning back against the ropes and taking tremendous punishment to let his opponent tire himself out, and before roaring back with a vicious counterattack to win the fight.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Cite this Entry
“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterattack. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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