counterculture

noun

coun·​ter·​cul·​ture ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌkəl-chər 

: a culture with values and mores that run counter to those of established society

countercultural

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rəl, 

-ˈkəl-chə- 

adjective

counterculturalism

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rə-ˌli-zəm, 

-ˈkəl-chə- 

noun

counterculturist

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəl-chə-rist 

noun

Examples of counterculture in a Sentence

the counterculture of the hippies

He was part of the antiwar counterculture.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Henry Miller Memorial, a popular counterculture bookshop, closed in early August to an evacuation order. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the broader counterculture, her work became increasingly intertwined with political and social concerns. — Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Mixing humor and music with politics and the counterculture, the show was a hit with fans but not networks censors. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

The anti-war sentiment helped give rise to a counterculture that challenged traditional norms. — Andrew Niemchick, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterculture

• agriculture
• apiculture
• aquaculture
• floriculture
• horticulture
• mariculture
• monoculture
• sericulture
• silviculture
• viticulture
• arboriculture
• culture