Synonyms of counter

counter 1 of 4

verb

ˈkau̇n-tər 

as in to oppose

to strive to reduce or eliminate

efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oppose
• fight
• combat
• resist
• contend (with)
• battle
• confront
• thwart
• withstand
• foil
• oppugn
• face
• frustrate
• baffle
• checkmate
• defy
• meet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward
• promote
• advance
• encourage
• further
• cultivate
• foster
• support
• suffer
• bear
• endure
• nurture
• nourish
• back
• advocate
• abide
• uphold
• endorse
• champion

counter

2 of 4

noun

ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

as in offset

a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective

strong moral guidance at home is the best counter to the pernicious allure of popular culture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offset
• balance
• corrective
• counterbalance
• counterforce
• counteraction
• counterweight
• neutralizer
• counterpoise
• ballast
• equipoise
• canceler
• trade-off
• weight

2

as in opposite

something that is as different as possible from something else

her version of the domestic dispute was almost the exact counter of what actually happened

Synonyms & Similar Words

• opposite
• contrary
• antithesis
• reverse
• obverse
• negative
• antipode
• negation
• counterpoint
• inverse
• mirror image
• converse
• antonym

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• synonym
• counterpart
• copy
• analogue
• duplicate
• replica
• carbon copy

counter

3 of 4

adjective

ˈkau̇n-tər 

as in negative

opposed to one's interests

was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• negative
• hostile
• adverse
• unfavorable
• detrimental
• harmful
• damaging
• threatening
• destructive
• unfriendly
• disadvantageous
• bad
• inimical
• prejudicial
• unsympathetic
• dangerous
• opposing
• untoward
• hazardous
• offensive
• risky
• conflicting
• lethal
• evil
• poisonous
• pernicious
• troublesome
• unsafe
• deleterious
• malignant
• fatal
• baneful
• baleful
• resisting
• murderous
• resistant
• ruinous
• injurious
• unhealthy
• hurtful
• noxious
• ill
• perilous
• antagonistic
• countering
• scathing
• competing
• slanderous
• intolerant
• uncooperative
• inhospitable
• counteracting
• defamatory
• parlous
• wounding
• calumnious
• uncongenial
• jeopardizing
• imperiling
• detractive
• antipathetic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• positive
• advantageous
• favorable
• friendly
• sympathetic
• supportive
• useful
• good
• beneficial
• helpful
• harmless
• propitious
• innocuous
• nonthreatening
• innocent
• inoffensive
• well-disposed
• nondestructive
• understanding
• friendly
• tolerant
• nonlethal
• nonfatal
• benign
• cordial
• congenial
• complying
• agreeable
• hospitable
• amiable
• unresistant
• affable
• amicable
• benignant

counter

4 of 4

adverb

as in across

Related Words

• across
• counterclockwise
• behind
• down
• athwart
• downward
• widdershins
• back
• reversely
• rearward
• round
• backward
• obversely
• about
• around

Dissimilar Words

• clockwise
• deasil

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of counter

Verb

But to counter the selection bias, researchers factored in that former NFL players with cognitive symptoms were five times more likely to have their brains donated to science. — Digital Producer, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

The State Department already uses such a system to evaluate global efforts to counter narcotics and human trafficking. — Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026

Noun

But Sai counters with not caring what people think is freeing and that maybe that is what Daisy needs. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

Saab says Sea Giraffe AMB D incorporates electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) to help maintain surveillance performance in environments where adversaries try to disrupt detection and tracking. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

Adjective

That's the reason why a major trend in military spheres is to create counter-drone systems that are not only effective, but can be built cheaply and in vast numbers in a short time. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026

The vulnerability was patched, but the threat may not be over, noted Adam Meyers, vice president of counter adversary at security company CrowdStrike. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Then, counter with your own inspection and maintenance records. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Investigators with the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal later reviewed Ring camera footage from inside the home, which showed the family’s dog, Bo, jumping onto the kitchen counter before inadvertently activating the toaster. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026