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
Together, these compounds counteract the effects of caffeine, which can interrupt your sleep.
—
Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 23 July 2024
If Canada can survive these opponents and meets up with the United States in a knockout-round game, SGA and company will have to counteract America’s size advantage by picking up the offensive pace.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 23 July 2024
The next night, the offenders were drunken dudes: different register and subject matter—golf, blackjack, the scene at the pool at the Wynn—but just as hard to tune out or counteract.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Another big challenge is finding a comfortable balance that doesn't set you up to overindulge in refined carbs on higher-carb days because doing so can counteract the potential benefits of ketosis.
—Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteract 
Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 23 July 2024
If Canada can survive these opponents and meets up with the United States in a knockout-round game, SGA and company will have to counteract America’s size advantage by picking up the offensive pace.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 23 July 2024
The next night, the offenders were drunken dudes: different register and subject matter—golf, blackjack, the scene at the pool at the Wynn—but just as hard to tune out or counteract.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Another big challenge is finding a comfortable balance that doesn't set you up to overindulge in refined carbs on higher-carb days because doing so can counteract the potential benefits of ketosis.
—Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteract
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 26 Jul. 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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