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

This, in turn, reinforced Webster’s own initial claim about his fight with the MPD cop—that Rathbun had provoked the encounter by striking him in the head, then lied about it to counter Webster’s righteous assertion of self-defense, resulting in his wrongful conviction. —Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

Economists and health‑policy experts counter that even aggressive savings in prescription drugs and billing reform would only touch part of what is driving a $38 trillion debt built on structural deficits, rising interest costs and political gridlock. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026

Noun

Whatever language is used to describe it — counter-narcotics, stabilization, transition — this was an act of war, undertaken without the constitutional mechanisms designed to restrain exactly this kind of unilateral executive action. —Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026

Graziano's not only sells its sausage over the counter, but offers shipping nationwide and sells its products regionally through supermarkets that include Hy-Vee. —Philip Joens, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026

Adjective

The counter-drug campaign, which legal experts argue could violate the law, has faced criticism from regional leaders such as Colombia's President Gustavo Petro. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

Patients usually recover on their own and can take steps to manage symptoms, including using over-the counter medications for pain and fever and making sure to stay hydrated. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025

Adverb

And when placed counter to men in power, we’re shamed; just take the long-overdue imprisonment of Diddy and the public vitriol towards his female victims. —Essence, 15 Oct. 2025

The peaceful rallies were held counter to Trump's 79th birthday and a major military parade in Washington, D.C. What happened at the first No Kings rally? —Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025