as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counteract
To counteract bad luck, toss a pinch over your left shoulder.
—
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
To counteract the misfortune, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026
Its messiness is also in step with 2020s hyperpop—scruffy, topsy-turvy electronic music that seeks to harness, not counteract, modern overstimulation.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, the FDA approved the high-dose B vitamin — a treatment long used to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy — for cerebral folate deficiency in the receptor 1 gene, a genetic condition that’s estimated to affect only about 1 in 1 million people.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
To counteract the misfortune, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026
Its messiness is also in step with 2020s hyperpop—scruffy, topsy-turvy electronic music that seeks to harness, not counteract, modern overstimulation.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, the FDA approved the high-dose B vitamin — a treatment long used to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy — for cerebral folate deficiency in the receptor 1 gene, a genetic condition that’s estimated to affect only about 1 in 1 million people.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counteract
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the schools are looking for new ways to raise revenue to offset costs, such as offering more online courses for adult learners.—
Jason Armesto,
AJC.com,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Strong work on the offensive glass was a saving grace for Boston, which grabbed 10 first-half offensive boards (by eight different players) to offset poor shooting from most of its perimeter players.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
By amalgamating these museological devices into the artwork, Aram directly upsets the threefold impulse to pierce form with meaning, to arrest color with identity, and to neutralize bodies with limits.—
Julian Stern,
Artforum,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Helicopters and advanced sonar were used to find and neutralize simulated underwater targets.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Patent law is supposed to correct this.—
Ugo Troiano,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
This story has been updated to correct that Cofer is self-employed.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counteract. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
