counterstrike

noun

coun·​ter·​strike ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌstrīk 

variants or counter-strike

plural counterstrikes or counter-strikes

: a strike that retaliates against or counters earlier strike : a return strike

government counterstrikes against the rebel stronghold

… the belief on both sides that any attack would be met with an equally devastating counterstrike.

—W. J. Hennigan and Brian Bennett

Synonyms of counterstrike

• counterattack

Examples of counterstrike in a Sentence

after countless strikes and counterstrikes, the positions of both armies remained essentially unchanged

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Chinese state media, the units involved in the missile launch are trained to operate under demanding battlefield conditions, including severe electromagnetic interference and precision counterstrikes. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026

In November, 2023, after Hamas’s massacre of Israelis and the onset of Israel’s brutal counterstrike on Gaza, Habermas signed a statement that reasserted solidarity between Germany and Israel. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

As Russia’s advance stalls, Ukraine boosts long-range strikes After a series of gains last year, Russia’s advances along the over 600-mile front line have ground to a near halt recently, and Ukraine’s armed forces have launched successful counterstrikes and reclaimed some ground. — Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

The cost of international benchmark Brent crude oil soared at the end of March, after Iranian counterstrikes in the Gulf region effectively closed a major oil trading corridor, the Strait of Hormuz. — Sarah Davis, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterstrike

• businesslike
• ladylike
• motorbike
• workmanlike
• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike