counterstrike

noun

coun·​ter·​strike ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌstrīk How to pronounce counterstrike (audio)
variants or counter-strike
plural counterstrikes or counter-strikes
: a strike that retaliates against or counters earlier strike : a return strike
government counterstrikes against the rebel stronghold
… the belief on both sides that any attack would be met with an equally devastating counterstrike.W. J. Hennigan and Brian Bennett

Examples of counterstrike in a Sentence

after countless strikes and counterstrikes, the positions of both armies remained essentially unchanged
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.
Iran's top commanders have issued a new warning to the United States and Israel, vowing a far stronger and more punishing counterstrike if either launches new attacks against the Islamic republic. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025 The United States led a regional coalition to shoot down practically all of Iran’s missiles, and Israeli counterstrikes destroyed much of Iran’s air defenses. Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 24 June 2025 Trump, meanwhile, also indicated the U.S. wouldn’t seek to escalate any military action after Iran launched counterstrikes on Monday against a U.S. military base in Qatar. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Iranian officials have said more than 400 people have been killed since Israel's attacks began, Reuters reported; Iran's counterstrikes have resulted in at least 24 deaths in Israel. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterstrike

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterstrike was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Counterstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterstrike. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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