counterpunch

noun

coun·​ter·​punch ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpənch 

: a counter in boxing

also : a countering blow or attack

counterpunch intransitive verb

counterpuncher

ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpən-chər 

noun

Synonyms of counterpunch

• counterattack

Examples of counterpunch in a Sentence

the last, desperate counterpunch of the German armies, known as the Battle of the Bulge

Recent Examples on the Web

The counterpunch for Republicans is the fact that off-year elections — those held in odd years not during traditional general elections — get less attention and are often poor measures for the overall mood of the electorate. —Christian Orozco, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025

The ballot proposition is Newsom’s counterpunch to Texas and other Republican states that have initiated mid-decade redistricting at Trump’s urging to help the GOP maintain control of the House after the 2026 midterms. —Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Aside from the officiating controversy, the Bucs had little success finding a counterpunch to the Lions’ running game. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Saturday’s was just that, as KU shocked the crowd into silence by jumping to a 21-6 lead Then, the counterpunches. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterpunch

• brunch
• bunch
• chinch
• crunch
• hunch
• lunch
• punch
• keypunch