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
Moreover, compared to nearby countries that have counteracted the economic effects of aging populations with new immigrants and their children, Italy has set more hurdles on the path to citizenship for those without native ancestry, even if they are born in the country.
—
Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The Royals were going to try to counteract Gore with veteran outfielder Lane Thomas leading off.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
Shapiro explains that supplementing with bioactive collagen, along with cofactors, cellular energy support, and a network of antioxidants, may be an effective strategy to counteract some of these midlife processes.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 29 May 2026
But some see it as a dysfunctional response to counteract other aspects of China’s broader economic dysfunction.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for counteract
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Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
The Royals were going to try to counteract Gore with veteran outfielder Lane Thomas leading off.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
Shapiro explains that supplementing with bioactive collagen, along with cofactors, cellular energy support, and a network of antioxidants, may be an effective strategy to counteract some of these midlife processes.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 29 May 2026
But some see it as a dysfunctional response to counteract other aspects of China’s broader economic dysfunction.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 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 1 Jun. 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
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