variants
or counter-attacks
as in attacks
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
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 counterattacks
Ukraine’s use of Tomahawks — subsonic cruise missiles that can strike targets from 1,000 miles away —would give the country the ability to ramp up its counterattacks on Russia.
—
Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
That’s in part due to throwing all the chips in the middle and not being ready for counterattacks.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Sure, there were attacks and counterattacks and waves of soldiers traversing across No Man’s Land.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
But in the Oscar race, momentum invites counterattacks.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Colonial militias attempted periodic raids, but historical records report that they were met with rugged terrain, booby traps and counterattacks.
—Justin Dunnavant, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025
And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
That’s in part due to throwing all the chips in the middle and not being ready for counterattacks.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Sure, there were attacks and counterattacks and waves of soldiers traversing across No Man’s Land.
—Michael Jerome Plunkett
september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
But in the Oscar race, momentum invites counterattacks.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Colonial militias attempted periodic raids, but historical records report that they were met with rugged terrain, booby traps and counterattacks.
—Justin Dunnavant, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025
And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattacks
Noun
-
Kabul wants to hedge against its deteriorating relationship with its former patron Islamabad, which accuses the Taliban of harboring a separate but allied group that has carried out deadly attacks inside Pakistan.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
-
But Raducanu’s identity has been harder to maintain — or even define — against the best and most devastating attacks on the WTA Tour.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Then, Ukraine reclaimed significant ground in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts during counteroffensives.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Initial Russian gains occurred primarily in the early months of the war, with Ukrainian counteroffensives regaining significant areas in Kharkiv and Kherson provinces.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterattacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattacks. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share