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

Community groups in historically underserved neighborhoods such as Barrio Logan, San Ysidro and City Heights are working to establish land trusts to counter gentrification and host community hubs. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2026

After an initial flurry, Yanez expertly countered, dropping the former champion with precise right hands. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Noun

In the rival’s body, Laura zipped up the makeup bag, and left it on the counter. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Bellingham’s quick-fire second at the Azteca came from a similar movement, this time on the counter as his forward momentum carried him into the six-yard box. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 July 2026

Adjective

The contract is to develop counter-drone capabilities for the military. — Davis Giangiulio,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 2 July 2026

The toiletry bag holds plenty of skincare or hair products for a weeklong trip, and can be easily hung on the back of the bathroom door at your hotel or Airbnb, keeping the counter clean and chaos-free. — Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Adverb

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

The Lions are not typically a team that flies counter to recognizing social justice causes. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026