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
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
Despite a formal statement by Ukrainian command that the withdrawal was a strategic retreat, first-hand accounts from soldiers collected by the BBC describe panic and confusion when Russian forces, supported by North Korean troops, launched a fierce counterattack earlier this month.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
But when a counterattack opportunity itself three minutes into stoppage team, SDFC — which really does need some sort of nickname — aced one more test.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
George Yang, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
Some of those chances against come on counterattacks.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2025
Despite a formal statement by Ukrainian command that the withdrawal was a strategic retreat, first-hand accounts from soldiers collected by the BBC describe panic and confusion when Russian forces, supported by North Korean troops, launched a fierce counterattack earlier this month.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
But when a counterattack opportunity itself three minutes into stoppage team, SDFC — which really does need some sort of nickname — aced one more test.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
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The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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In late August, Schuyler belatedly learned that Washington was preparing a second prong of attack, which would depart from Massachusetts and make its way north through the wilds of Maine and Quebec under Arnold’s command.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 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 21 May. 2025.
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