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
Ukrainian units then respond with a direct counterattack to push this second wave back.
—
Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
In response, the provincial governor, Juan de Oñate, consulted with Franciscan priests and then ordered a counterattack.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
The attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and Israel’s counterattack campaign has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to PBS News which cites figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Kirk’s choice of speakers in Tampa triggered a rapid counterattack.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
In response, the provincial governor, Juan de Oñate, consulted with Franciscan priests and then ordered a counterattack.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026
The attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and Israel’s counterattack campaign has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to PBS News which cites figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Kirk’s choice of speakers in Tampa triggered a rapid counterattack.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
-
His June assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities had two carrier groups in the region, more there as a counter-weight to any Iranian reprisals than to be directly involved in the attack.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Senegal -- The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility on Friday for an attack on an air force base in Niger's capital that wounded four soldiers and damaged an aircraft.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The crypto industry has launched a counteroffensive, arguing that rewards are necessary to allow stablecoins to effectively compete and accusing the banks of attempting to entrench their current position.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Trehubov said a recent Ukrainian counteroffensive further disrupted Russian efforts to stabilize the front.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Martinez and another man were charged in October with assault with a deadly weapon, accused of following the agents' vehicles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the shooting on Chicago's south side.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Pretti was shot while agents were evidently seeking to detain a man, Jose Huerta-Chuma, whom Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said had an extensive criminal record including domestic assault.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattack. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
