counterattack
noun
coun·ter·at·tack
ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌtak 
variants
or counter-attack
plural counterattacks or counter-attacks
: an attack made in response to or in defense against an attack made by another
a series of attacks and counterattacks
Iraqi forces are advancing into the city of Fallujah, repelling a counter-attack by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) on Tuesday …—
Jack Moore
Jack Moore
counterattack
verb, transitive + intransitive
or counter-attack
counterattacked or counter-attacked; counterattacking or counter-attacking
Syrian rebels including jihadists counter-attacked the army and its allies on Friday aiming to break a weeks-long siege on eastern Aleppo, insurgents said.
—Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall
Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall
counterattacker
noun
or counter-attacker
plural counterattackers or counter-attackers
Finally, the big man, bleeding profusely, succeeded in throwing his counterattacker off him.
—Andrew M. Greeley
Andrew M. Greeley
Examples of counterattack in a Sentence
suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
Recent Examples on the Web
However, a vital and relatively underrated figure might be Patri Guijarro, whose work at the base of midfield will be critical in thwarting opposition counterattacks and helping protect the defense.
—Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Israel began attacks on Iran's nuclear program and military facilities on June 13, prompting counterattacks from Iran.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 25 June 2025
The attack killed several top leaders and nuclear scientists, sparking a counterattack from Iran.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Iranian counterattacks are expected. Update 6/13/25, 4:37 p.m.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
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.
Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Israel began attacks on Iran's nuclear program and military facilities on June 13, prompting counterattacks from Iran.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 25 June 2025
The attack killed several top leaders and nuclear scientists, sparking a counterattack from Iran.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Iranian counterattacks are expected. Update 6/13/25, 4:37 p.m.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Cite this Entry
“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterattack. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share