counter

verb

coun·​ter ˈkau̇n-tər 

countered; countering ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to act in opposition to : oppose

b

: offset, nullify

tried to counter the trend toward depersonalization

2

: to assert in answer

We countered that our warnings had been ignored.

intransitive verb

: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps

Synonyms of counter

• oppose
• fight
• combat

Examples of counter in a Sentence

When they blamed him for the collapse of the bridge, he countered that his warnings about the bridge had been ignored.

“I could say the same thing about you,” she countered.

After she made her point, he could not counter with anything.

Recent Examples on the Web

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss up after California voters approved a new congressional map last year to counter Texas' redrawn districts, reshaping the Bakersfield-area 22nd district. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Defense attorney Mike Howard countered that Anthony went to the tent to get out of the rain. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Frommell countered that market-rate units will be renovated only after the current tenants move out, so any higher rents would apply only to people already shopping for a new place to live. —Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

The Abundance movement counters that this undervalues those who move somewhere new and come to love it just as fiercely. —Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countren, contren "to act against, oppose, contradict," derivative of contre counter entry 4 or its source, Anglo-French contre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing counter

• bargaining counter
• bean counter
• counter-accusation
• counter-adaptation
• counter-adaptive
• counter-advertising
• counter-agent
• counter-aggression
• counter-argue
• counter-argument
• counter-assault
• counter-attack
• counter-attacker
• counter-bid
• counter-blast
• counter-blockade
• counter-blow
• counter-campaign
• counter-charge
• counter check
• counter-complaint
• counter-conspiracy
• counter-convention
• counter-counter-measure
• counter-coup
• counter-criticism
• counter-cry
• counter-demand
• counter-demonstrate
• counter-demonstration
• counter-demonstrator
• counter-deployment
• counter-education
• counter-educational
• counter-effort
• counter-evidence
• counter-fire
• counter-force
• counter-government
• counter-hypothesis
• counter-image
• counter-incentive
• counter-inflation
• counter-inflationary
• counter-influence
• counter-instance
• counter-institution
• counter-interpretation
• counter-invasion
• counter-memo
• counter-mobilization
• counter-move
• counter-movement
• counter-myth
• counter-narrative
• counter-order
• counter-petition
• counter-picket
• counter-play
• counter-ploy
• counter-power
• counter-pressure
• counter-project
• counter-propaganda
• counter-protest
• counter-protester
• counter-question
• counter-raid
• counter-rally
• counter-reaction
• counter-reform
• counter-reformer
• counter-response
• counter-retaliation
• counter-shot
• counter-sniper
• counter space
• counter-spell
• counter-state
• counter-statement
• counter-step
• counter-strategist
• counter-strategy
• counter-stream
• counter-strike
• counter-stroke
• counter-style
• counter-sue
• counter-suggestion
• counter-suit
• counter-surveillance
• counter-tactics
• counter-tendency
• counter-terror
• counter-terrorism
• counter-threat
• counter-thrust
• counter-tradition
• counter-trend
• counter-value
• counter-violence
• counter-world
• Geiger counter
• Geiger-Müller counter
• lunch counter
• over the counter
• run counter to
• scintillation counter
• under the counter

Rhymes for counter

• encounter

Kids Definition

counter

1 of 7 noun

count·​er ˈkau̇nt-ər 

1

: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in counting or in games

2

: a level surface (as a table) over which business is done or food is served or on which goods are displayed

counter

2 of 7 noun

count·​er

: one that counts

especially : a device for indicating a number or amount

counter

3 of 7 verb

coun·​ter

ˈkau̇nt-ər

countered; countering ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ 

ˈkau̇n-triŋ

1

: to act in opposition to : oppose

countering the claim for damages

2

: to give a blow in return

counter with a left hook

counter

4 of 7 adverb

coun·​ter

: in another or opposite direction

acting counter to advice

counter

5 of 7 noun

coun·​ter

1

: the act of giving a return blow

2

: the blow given

counter

6 of 7 adjective

coun·​ter

1

: moving in an opposite direction

the ship slowed by counter tides

2

: designed to oppose

a counter opinion

counter-

7 of 7 prefix

coun·​ter-

1

a

: contrary : opposite

counterclockwise

b

: opposing : retaliatory

counteroffensive

2

: like : matching

counterpart

Etymology

Middle English countour "something used in counting," from early French countour (same meaning), from Latin computatorium "a place for counting or keeping accounts," from earlier computare "to count, compute" — related to count entry 1, compute

Middle English countren "to oppose," from early French contre "against" — related to contra-, counter-

derived from Latin contra "against, opposite" — related to contra-

Medical Definition

counter

1 of 2 noun

count·​er ˈkau̇nt-ər 

: a level surface over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted

a lunch counter

counter

2 of 2 noun

: one that counts

especially : a device for indicating a number or amount see geiger counter

Legal Definition

counter-

prefix

coun·​ter-

ˈkau̇n-tər

1

a

: contrary : opposite

counterletter

b

: opposing : retaliatory

counteraction

2

: complementary : corresponding

countersign

3

: duplicate : substitute

counterpart