Definition of counteroffensivenext
as in counterattack
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of counteroffensive Washington thus should play to a stalemate but be ready to respond with a truly devastating counteroffensive if Iran raises the stakes. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 The campaign has put pressure on Russian logistics in Crimea, giving Ukrainian forces a degree of battlefield momentum that Kyiv has not enjoyed since its successful counteroffensives around Kherson and Kharkiv in late 2022. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 Syrskyi made his mark with the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive and the incursion into Kursk. — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Syrskyi got the job after the 2023 counteroffensive failed, and the-then top commander, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, was moved to London as Ukraine’s ambassador. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counteroffensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counteroffensive
counterattack
Noun
  • Eight minutes into the second half, Wilson appeared to halve the deficit after finishing a counterattack — only for the goal to be ruled offside after a video review.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In Trumpian fashion, Netanyahu and his circle have gone on the counterattack.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Counteroffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counteroffensive. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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