counterplay

noun

coun·​ter·​play ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌplā How to pronounce counterplay (audio)
variants or counter-play
plural counterplays or counter-plays
: opposing or contrasting play or an instance of this: such as
a
: a countering move or maneuver in a game or competition
Managing your way through these middle rounds will require you to probably play very tight and conservative poker, whereby you will focus more on the quality of your own hands and the playing zones of your opponents rather than on positional requirements or any possible moves or counterplays that might appear to be advantageous.Victor H. Royer
also : play (see play entry 2 sense 3a) involving the use of counterplays
You're considering your twenty-fourth move of the game. You're thinking of advancing a pawn of your own, to try to get some counterplay going … Robert R. Desjarlais
b
: interaction or contrast between opposing or dissimilar elements
As always, the main tension that drives these songs is the counterplay of Paul Desmond's lyrical alto sax and Brubeck's dynamic, off-kilter piano.Matthew Fiander

Examples of counterplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This change will help mitigate that feeling without significantly reducing counterplay. Kris Holt, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterplay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterplay was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near counterplay

Cite this Entry

“Counterplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterplay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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