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

counterattack

ˌkau̇n-tər-ə-ˈtak 

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

counterattacker

ˌkau̇n-tər-ə-ˈta-kər 

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

Synonyms

• counterassault
• counteroffensive
• counterpunch
• counterstrike

Examples of counterattack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Gaza Health Ministry has estimated 32,000 Palestinians have been killed following the counterattack by Israeli forces after Hamas, which runs Gaza, launched an attack on southern Israel last October. —Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024

The other cat ran into the hills, the cyclists said, while the four riders with Bergere mounted a counterattack to save her from the grips of the attacker's jaws, at that point around her face and exerting pressure. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024

Though defending was now undoubtedly Porto’s priority, the team still looked dangerous on its occasional foray forward with Francisco Conceição testing Raya with a low shot after a swift counterattack. —Matias Grez, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024

Biden’s refusal to demand Israel stop its devastating counterattacks in Gaza may mark another vulnerability this fall. —USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024

As the center defender, the 5-foot-8 Holman not only helps dictate the defense, but also orchestrates the counterattack. —Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2024

South Floridians who have opposed Israel’s counterattacks in Gaza called on people to protest Dershowitz’s talk. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024

The action is part of a counterattack plan from President Joe Biden that is expected to unfold over multiple days, or possibly weeks, U.S. officials said. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2024

The sudden public backlash prompted one consultant to pitch Juul on a counterattack — one that would use a dark money group associated with former Libertarian congressman Bob Barr and enlisted the support of prominent Christian conservative Rebecca Hagelin. —Nicholas Florko, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

counterattack

noun

coun·​ter·​at·​tack

ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌtak

: an attack made to counter an enemy's attack

counterattack verb