as in attack
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
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Recent Examples of counterattack
Yet hopes for a smooth transition were shattered last week after reports emerged of Assad loyalists conducting a series of deadly ambushes against the security forces of the interim government, followed by a sweeping counterattack by Damascus and allied militias.
—
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Towards the end of the 1-0 win granted by Arda Guler’s early strike, the Frenchman went to the turf after trying to start a counterattack but clashing with the opposite team’s player Luis Milla.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Their effects range from healing hit points (HP) upon a successful counterattack to being able to attack twice in a row, but damage output is cut in half.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
Some of those chances against come on counterattacks.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Towards the end of the 1-0 win granted by Arda Guler’s early strike, the Frenchman went to the turf after trying to start a counterattack but clashing with the opposite team’s player Luis Milla.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Their effects range from healing hit points (HP) upon a successful counterattack to being able to attack twice in a row, but damage output is cut in half.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
Some of those chances against come on counterattacks.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
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But after the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the movie was retooled with a new finale before being released in theaters on June 21, 2002.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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The Pacers, behind an unrelenting uptempo attack and superior depth, have won the third and fourth quarters in both games, as well as overtime in Game 1.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
Noun
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In recent months, as part of a vast counteroffensive, the army and militias allied with it have gradually reclaimed much of the north and east of the city.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2025
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The TikTok trend appears to be a strategic digital counteroffensive, giving Chinese producers a platform to reach U.S. consumers directly while sidestepping both tariffs and middlemen.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattack. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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