counterprotest
noun
coun·ter·pro·test
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌprō-ˌtest 
variants
or counter-protest
plural counterprotests or counter-protests
: a protest staged to counter or oppose another protest
A rally … got heated Saturday afternoon. Police stepped in to help de-escalate tensions after a counterprotest emerged …—
Colleen MacDonald
Colleen MacDonald
counterprotester
noun
or counter-protester
plural counterprotesters or counter-protesters
Standing near the back of the crowd at yesterday's rally were about a dozen counterprotesters …
—Sue Young Wilson
Sue Young Wilson
Nazis may still march, but they are inevitably outnumbered by counter-protesters.
—Ellis Cose
Ellis Cose
Examples of counterprotest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cavello said the mayor was in contact with the police commissioner and receiving information on the protest, counterprotest and the suspicious devices.
—Mark Crudele, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
What about counterprotests? Counterprotests should receive the same rights as protests, and the two should be allowed within sight and sound of the other, but antagonistic groups should be separated.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
Our reporting reveals that members and related officials have encouraged protesters to impede law enforcement; pushed civilians toward legally and physically risky confrontations; and helped mobilize a counterprotest that turned violent.
—Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
With federal immigration agents swarming Minnesota, ICE raids, protests, counterprotests, shootings and other horrors in recent weeks, a moment of calm took place at the Cathedral of St. Paul, during a Saturday concert featuring Sir John Rutter with VocalEssence.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
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Mark Crudele, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
What about counterprotests? Counterprotests should receive the same rights as protests, and the two should be allowed within sight and sound of the other, but antagonistic groups should be separated.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
Our reporting reveals that members and related officials have encouraged protesters to impede law enforcement; pushed civilians toward legally and physically risky confrontations; and helped mobilize a counterprotest that turned violent.
—Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
With federal immigration agents swarming Minnesota, ICE raids, protests, counterprotests, shootings and other horrors in recent weeks, a moment of calm took place at the Cathedral of St. Paul, during a Saturday concert featuring Sir John Rutter with VocalEssence.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterprotest
Cite this Entry
“Counterprotest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterprotest. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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