as in counterattack
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
a feeble counterassault that proved to be entirely futile
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of counterassault
The Israeli counterassault over the last few days has killed at least 31 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip including seven children and four women, according to the U.N. humanitarian office.
—
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 12 May 2023
The 77-minute siege ended with a counterassault led by a SWAT team from the US Border Patrol.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2023
Another risk is that Russia’s invasion and the West’s financial counterassault could prove more economically disruptive than the pandemic.
—Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022
Saturday’s assault included a volley of rockets that Ukrainian officials said damaged 47 apartment buildings and houses, adding that Ukraine cannot answer the attacks for fear that a counterassault would set off a radiation disaster.
—Vivian Yee, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2022
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 12 May 2023
The 77-minute siege ended with a counterassault led by a SWAT team from the US Border Patrol.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2023
Another risk is that Russia’s invasion and the West’s financial counterassault could prove more economically disruptive than the pandemic.
—Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022
Saturday’s assault included a volley of rockets that Ukrainian officials said damaged 47 apartment buildings and houses, adding that Ukraine cannot answer the attacks for fear that a counterassault would set off a radiation disaster.
—Vivian Yee, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterassault
counterattack
Noun
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But Colorado was lethal in its execution on the counterattack and capitalized on Sporting KC’s mistakes to win 4-1.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
22 Mar. 2026
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Ukraine has sought to derail the Kremlin’s plans by launching counterattacks in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, where Russian forces have sought to carve out bridgeheads with an aim to advance toward the regional capitals, which are key industrial hubs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterassault.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterassault. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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