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
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 counterattack
Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead in the first half at Wembley Stadium in London when Eberechi Eze finished off a customary Crystal Palace counterattack.
—
Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
However, if Iran is successful in a counterattack, Israel would likely strike back with even greater force, and other countries may decide to get involved.
—Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Russia, meanwhile, is expected to launch a counterattack against Ukraine, a plan Trump confirmed on Wednesday after speaking by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 4 June 2025
Chelsea then added another late goal on the break with Moisés Caicedo finishing off a lightning-fast counterattack.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
However, if Iran is successful in a counterattack, Israel would likely strike back with even greater force, and other countries may decide to get involved.
—Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Russia, meanwhile, is expected to launch a counterattack against Ukraine, a plan Trump confirmed on Wednesday after speaking by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 4 June 2025
Chelsea then added another late goal on the break with Moisés Caicedo finishing off a lightning-fast counterattack.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
-
Sunday’s attacks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments two days ago that Moscow is ready for a fresh round of direct peace talks in Istanbul.—
Volodymyr Yurchuk,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
-
Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine despite talks between the two countries in Istanbul, which were supposed to lead to a ceasefire.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Russia has captured some territory in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine has conducted counteroffensives with mixed results.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Many were deployed to Russia's Kursk region where Ukraine has been conducting a counteroffensive.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
-
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 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share