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
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
In comparison to the Lusso, which has hydrating ingredients in its own right, such as jojoba and macadamia oil, the Express features even more nourishing ingredients to counteract the shorter development time.
—
Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Support your posture by focusing on the chest and strengthening the upper back to help counteract the hunched posture from feeding, picking up, and carrying a baby.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
Out of that awakening came important measures to counteract giant algae blooms by stopping the use of phosphates in dishwashing liquid and other household items.
—Theodore J. Karamanski, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Support your posture by focusing on the chest and strengthening the upper back to help counteract the hunched posture from feeding, picking up, and carrying a baby.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
Out of that awakening came important measures to counteract giant algae blooms by stopping the use of phosphates in dishwashing liquid and other household items.
—Theodore J. Karamanski, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteract. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
