counteract

verb

coun·​ter·​act ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈakt How to pronounce counteract (audio)
counteracted; counteracting; counteracts

transitive verb

: 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
counteraction noun
counteractive adjective

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
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.
Into the game was lefty reliever Anthony Banda, to counteract Barger, a pinch hitter. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 But lower rates cannot easily counteract the economic uncertainty that continues to bedevil businesses or address AI’s structural impact on entry-level tech jobs. Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025 By engineering support layer architecture, thin-film nanocomposite membranes counteract internal concentration polarization and salt accumulation within the membrane’s porous structure, reducing the driving force for water flow. Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 With Canna Bloom, Letizia and co-owner and founder Stephanie Lembke aimed to counteract this. Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counteract

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counteract was in 1655

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteract. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

counteract

verb
coun·​ter·​act ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt How to pronounce counteract (audio)
: to lessen the force, action, or influence of : offset
a drug that counteracts a poison
counteraction noun

Medical Definition

counteract

transitive verb
coun·​ter·​act ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt How to pronounce counteract (audio)
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by an opposite force
vitamin K counteracts the effects of warfarin
counteraction noun

More from Merriam-Webster on counteract

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!