counteroffensive

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv 

: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

Synonyms of counteroffensive

• counterattack

Examples of counteroffensive in a Sentence

They mounted a counteroffensive against the enemy.

the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn

Recent Examples on the Web

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited troops Tuesday in nearby Dobropillia, where Ukrainian forces are staging a counteroffensive to try and draw Russia’s focus. —Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025

Zhenya notes with quiet concern that he’s been playing patriotic music at home and has mentioned a desire to join the military counteroffensive. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025

The Allies had been caught by surprise by the German counteroffensive. —Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

First, in September 2024, following Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the Kursk region with a more than twofold increase in enlistment bonuses. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counteroffensive

• antihypertensive
• apprehensive
• coextensive
• comprehensive
• hypertensive
• hypotensive
• inexpensive
• inoffensive
• normotensive
• defensive
• expensive
• extensive

Kids Definition

counteroffensive

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌfen(t)-siv 

: a large-scale counterattack