counteroffer

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fer ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌȯ-fər How to pronounce counteroffer (audio)
-ˌä-fər
: a return offer made by one who has rejected an offer

Examples of counteroffer in a Sentence

He turned down the deal and came back with a counteroffer asking for more money.
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.
He’s spent hundreds of dollars to have a lawyer review the offer and has debated making a counteroffer. Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025 More confident and united than ever, Arthur and Edward return this volley with a counteroffer. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 Even in ideal conditions, selling a business takes time; a 10- to 12-month timeline is typical, including multiple offers and counteroffers. Frank Williamson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Advertisement In addition to extending Obamacare subsidies, the Democratic counteroffer also seeks to rein in what lawmakers describe as the Trump Administration’s encroachment on Congress’s spending authority. Nik Popli, Time, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counteroffer

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counteroffer was in 1788

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Cite this Entry

“Counteroffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteroffer. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

counteroffer

noun
coun·​ter·​of·​fer ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌȯ-fər How to pronounce counteroffer (audio)
: an offer that is made in response to another and that has additional or differing terms

Note: Under common law, a counteroffer does not constitute an acceptance of an offer and is often considered a rejection of the offer.

counteroffer intransitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on counteroffer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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