as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counter
Lorne Cook, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Some Democratic states — most notably California — have countered with their own redistricting efforts.
—John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
One of the strongest counters to a potent pass rush is a steady run game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 18 Jan. 2026
Varta has introduced DroneHunter Varta, a counter-drone system built to help infantry units counter enemy FPV drones in close-range combat at CES 2026.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Here, a butcher block counter where the sink is located makes for easy chopping and rinsing while integrating seamlessly with the rest of this all-wood kitchen.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counter
Verb
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed in 1949 to counter the security threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and its deterrence is underpinned by a strong American troop presence in Europe.
—Lorne Cook, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Some Democratic states — most notably California — have countered with their own redistricting efforts.
—John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
Reservations that can be made up to 60 days in advance are recommended for the main dining room and chef’s counter.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
One of the strongest counters to a potent pass rush is a steady run game.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The counter-protester bent it back into shape.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 18 Jan. 2026
Varta has introduced DroneHunter Varta, a counter-drone system built to help infantry units counter enemy FPV drones in close-range combat at CES 2026.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
To Brighton and their head coach’s credit, Palace showed little of their trademark counter-attacking threat.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Here, a butcher block counter where the sink is located makes for easy chopping and rinsing while integrating seamlessly with the rest of this all-wood kitchen.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
-
Lawmakers opposed to the move tore up agenda papers, shouted slogans and blew whistles, bringing proceedings to a halt.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In the wake of the fatal shootings of American citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers during operations on the streets of Minneapolis, a recent YouGov poll shows that more Americans support abolishing ICE than those opposed.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If the offset resumed, some taxpayers would see their refunds reduced or eliminated, likely triggering headaches at the IRS, too, even though the IRS does not control offset decisions.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
If the offset resumed, some taxpayers would see their refunds reduced or eliminated, likely triggering headaches at the IRS, too, even though the IRS does not control offset decisions.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Orlean, in Joyride, does the opposite.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
-
That is literally the opposite of the business model of every downstream distributor that is now the economic engine of our entire collective industry.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And one of the main lessons that will be learned from that account is that while the harms that occurred came quickly and sometimes surprisingly easily, their negative consequences — on universities and society at large — will linger for a long time.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The rapid rise of AI technology has had negative effects on the climate and humanity, albeit indirectly.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Lay half of strips lengthwise over jam mixture, spacing evenly, then arrange remaining strips crosswise across, working alternately over and under lengthwise strips to create a lattice pattern (leave barely any space between strips so top is completely covered).—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
That thin film is what makes people either slip or glide smoothly across (in the case of an ice-skating rink).—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Graham, in particular, has been on a war path over the negotiations, accusing Republicans of not fighting hard enough to reclaim the narrative on immigration after the death of Alex Pretti last weekend.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Lemon plans to plead innocent and fight the charges in Minnesota.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike earlier models limited to upper-body tasks, Helix 02 uses a single neural network to control walking, manipulation, and balance together, directly from raw sensor data.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Dickerson and Stephens are both current on their car loans and working with National Debt Relief to reduce their credit card balances.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His 134 men were armed with musket, cartridge pouch, and sword in case of a hostile encounter, and the Africaansche Galey lay close by with a couple of small cannon brought forward on the bow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The broader goal, Rubio said, is a prosperous Venezuela aligned with the United States and no longer serving as a hub for hostile foreign powers.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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