counterstrike

noun

coun·​ter·​strike ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌstrīk 

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

Synonyms of counterstrike

• counterattack

Examples of counterstrike in a Sentence

after countless strikes and counterstrikes, the positions of both armies remained essentially unchanged

Recent Examples on the Web

Fresh Russian strikes killed at least five people in Ukraine, including a boy in Kyiv, as attacks and counterstrikes continued across both countries. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

The ministry plans to use attack drones in coordination with long-range missiles for more cost-effective counterstrikes. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Each strike and counterstrike chipped away at the pillars of the agreement, which has now collapsed, though there are still efforts to salvage it. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

Dozens of Iranians have died since the last bout of strikes and counterstrikes began, and thousands since February. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterstrike

• businesslike
• ladylike
• motorbike
• workmanlike
• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike