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

His lawyers countered that Binaggia would be willing to continue speaking with the prosecutors without any Kastigar letter. — Jay Weaver july 21, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

But McGurk and other hawks countered that Iran’s aerial attack had nearly succeeded. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Noun

The deli counter in the back prepares its own sandwiches to go along with their homemade cookies and Caesar salad, too. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 July 2026

Spain dominated possession, as expected, but Argentina offered absolutely nothing in the way of counter-attacking threat. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Adjective

Supporting defense programs Its radar systems support missions ranging from counter-drone operations to border security. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026

Advertisement In total, NATO allies announced that over $40 billion will be invested in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 7 July 2026

Adverb

Administration statements might pledge to protect Americans from toxic pollution, the scientists say, but many of its actions run counter to those words. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

This runs counter to how many organizations have historically thought about digital experience design. — Patricia Camden, Fortune, 20 June 2026