counterargument

noun

coun·​ter·​ar·​gu·​ment ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈär-gyə-mənt 

variants or counter-argument

plural counterarguments or counter-arguments

: an opposing argument

Joseph Stiglitz's new book, "The Price of Inequality," is the single most comprehensive counterargument to both Democratic neoliberalism and Republican laissez-faire theories.

—Thomas B. Edsall

… careful consideration of each of the arguments made by the appellant, and of the counter-arguments advanced by the appellees …

—Jonathan M. Landers et al.

Examples of counterargument in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And these provide the most convincing counterargument to the sort of killing that Fanon validated. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024

If aligned with the GOP, senior officers might feel pressured to conform their advice to a Republican president’s preferred options—or might fail to offer counterarguments or to outline risks. —Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2024

The counterargument to menthol bans also centers on upholding Black people's rights. —USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024

The counterargument is that cultural fit criteria can be subjective and susceptible to unconscious bias, favoring candidates similar to existing employees and limiting diversity. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024

At the same time, Soderbergh has continued to make his own canny counterarguments, usually in the form of movies. —Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2024

Detective presents a counterargument in characters like Kayla, a sharp nursing student and devoted mother who stands up for her family, and Annie, a dedicated midwife who protests the local mine poisoning the water with deadly consequences. —Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024

Though the prosecution’s case appeared compelling, Shannon Smith, Crumbley’s defense attorney, had some very strong counterarguments. —Thaddeus Hoffmeister, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2024

The dueling coalitions have marshaled arguments and counterarguments since the idea to add flights was pitched in April. —Lori Aratani, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above