counteroffer

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fer ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌȯ-fər 

-ˌä-fər

: a return offer made by one who has rejected an offer

Examples of counteroffer in a Sentence

He turned down the deal and came back with a counteroffer asking for more money.

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s spent hundreds of dollars to have a lawyer review the offer and has debated making a counteroffer. —Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025

More confident and united than ever, Arthur and Edward return this volley with a counteroffer. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025

Even in ideal conditions, selling a business takes time; a 10- to 12-month timeline is typical, including multiple offers and counteroffers. —Frank Williamson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Advertisement In addition to extending Obamacare subsidies, the Democratic counteroffer also seeks to rein in what lawmakers describe as the Trump Administration’s encroachment on Congress’s spending authority. —Nik Popli, Time, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counteroffer

• coffer
• offer
• proffer
• scoffer

Legal Definition

counteroffer

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fer ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌȯ-fər 

: an offer that is made in response to another and that has additional or differing terms

Note: Under common law, a counteroffer does not constitute an acceptance of an offer and is often considered a rejection of the offer.

counteroffer intransitive verb