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
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Opponents countered that the bill was duplicative of those prior efforts but might cast an even wider net to criminalize people unnecessarily.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
When reflecting on the details that struck her most about the home, Kayne points to the mix of materials—spruce panels in the bedroom, river rocks puzzled onto the bathroom counter, and walls of glass that invite the outdoors in.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Andrew Kirell, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Turning Point, the organization co-founded by late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in 2012, announced the lineup to the counter-programming ploy using a poster depicting the artists involved, with Kid Rock being front and center.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for counter
Verb
Democratic lawmakers, though, counter that the audit violates the state constitution’s separation of powers.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Opponents countered that the bill was duplicative of those prior efforts but might cast an even wider net to criminalize people unnecessarily.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Images showed a long line of people hiding behind ticket counters.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
When reflecting on the details that struck her most about the home, Kayne points to the mix of materials—spruce panels in the bedroom, river rocks puzzled onto the bathroom counter, and walls of glass that invite the outdoors in.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Netflix on the counter-offensive Meanwhile, Netflix has been ramping up its PR battle against Paramount’s hostile bid.
—Andrew Kirell, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Turning Point, the organization co-founded by late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in 2012, announced the lineup to the counter-programming ploy using a poster depicting the artists involved, with Kid Rock being front and center.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The Los Angeles Rams counter with a veteran signal-caller in Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for over 2,400 yards this season, and their offense is powered by explosive playmakers.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
-
Paniotto said that most Ukrainians oppose holding elections – not only during the war, but even during any kind of temporary ceasefire.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Rather, they are required to provide such opportunities if legally qualified opposing candidates request it.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under the Daylight Act, the time zone UTC offsets would be changed to half-hour increments rather than hours.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Critics have long warned that weak oversight, inflated claims and poor benefit-sharing have eroded trust in offset programs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her fans, of course, will support her, while anyone with a basic understanding of reverse psychology will do the opposite.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
-
They are modeled as attractive opposites.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Nestle, which makes Guigoz in France and SMA in the UK, said Thursday that stock shortages and returns of some formula products would have a marginally negative impact on its sales volumes this year.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kennedy gets praise in some quarters for his campaign against food preservatives, but on balance his prescriptions have been far more negative than positive for the public interest.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Clip straight across your nail Instead of cutting your nails in an oval shape, cut them straight across to avoid an ingrown nail, which is when the nail curves and grows into your skin.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Use the file to straighten the nail's free edge straight across.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When her parents fought, Roberts Giuffre would huddle with her little brother, covering his ears.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Mayweather has fought in eight exhibition matches since, the last one coming against John Gotti III — the grandson of infamous mob boss John Gotti — in Mexico City in August 2024.—
Matt Schubert,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If using a front-load or top-load washer, add some white bath towels to help keep the washer from becoming off-balance.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Since there are far too many variables that go into a knife’s design—handle shape, blade shape, weight, balance, material, and so on— determining which knife is the best knife is fundamentally impossible.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Deery believes that decline can be attributed in part to prospective students and parents feeling like campuses are hostile to those who don't hold a liberal-leaning worldview.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For some unexplained reason, if such an event continues for a prolonged period, citizens can often become inexplicably hostile.—
Wayne Chan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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