counterattack

noun

coun·​ter·​at·​tack ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌtak How to pronounce counterattack (audio)
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 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 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

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
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.
The counterattack also forced Israel to use its fighter jets to further target Iranian launch sites over the course of a 12-day war that cost Israel hundreds of millions of dollars a day. Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025 Either initiating or finishing breaks, set pieces and counterattacks, the 5-foot-8½ veteran of six European leagues often did it with aplomb. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025 Even so, the Ukrainians have launched counterattacks in some areas and are rapidly developing a domestic weapons industry. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 June 2025 The attack came after Israel launched strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets starting June 13, which prompted missile counterattacks by Iran. Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterattack

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterattack was in 1800

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterattack. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

counterattack

noun
coun·​ter·​at·​tack
ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌtak
: an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
counterattack verb

More from Merriam-Webster on counterattack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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