as in counterattacks
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn
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Recent Examples of counteroffensives
Shyriaiev is holed up in Sumy, a strategically important oblast that borders Russia, and has been the centerpiece of Ukrainian counteroffensives this fall.
—
Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025
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
Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counteroffensives
counterattacks
Noun
-
Syrskyi said Ukraine is conducting a strategic defensive operation designed to contain Russian advances, inflict heavy losses, and launch counterattacks where vulnerabilities appear.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
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Arkansas had done well to prevent Washington from breaking out on counterattacks throughout the match.—
Anthony Kristensen,
Arkansas Online,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counteroffensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counteroffensives. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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