counteroffensive

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv How to pronounce counteroffensive (audio)
Synonyms of counteroffensivenext
: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

Synonyms of counteroffensive

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
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.
In some ways, such jokes are a counteroffensive against Russian disinformation. Neringa Klumbytė, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026 The government has conducted a counteroffensive since January with aerial bombardments and ground assaults, despite an official commitment to the peace agreement. Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026 The government has conducted a counteroffensive since January with aerial bombardments and ground assaults, despite an official commitment to the peace agreement. CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026 Iran has been firing missiles at Israel and Arab states in a counteroffensive since the joint America-Israeli attack Saturday that killed Khamenei and many top Iranian officials. Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counteroffensive

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counteroffensive was in 1909

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counteroffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteroffensive. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

counteroffensive

noun
coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌfen(t)-siv How to pronounce counteroffensive (audio)
: a large-scale counterattack
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster