as in counterattack
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
the last, desperate counterpunch of the German armies, known as the Battle of the Bulge
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Recent Examples of counterpunch
In the 1990s, heroin chic surged in popularity as women flooded law schools, boardrooms, and newsrooms in record numbers — a visual counterpunch to female ambition.
—
Anne Marie Chaker, Time, 18 June 2025
The teams began trading big-time, tough layups as the game entered a punch, counterpunch rhythm down the stretch.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Each team is poised for the counterpunch before the first punch is even thrown.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 June 2025
There would be no counterpunch from Dodgers’ offense, which was missing Mookie Betts for a third-straight game because of a toe fracture (Betts said before the game his toe was starting to feel better, and went through pregame activities in hopes of avoiding a stint on the injured list).
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpunch
Anne Marie Chaker, Time, 18 June 2025
The teams began trading big-time, tough layups as the game entered a punch, counterpunch rhythm down the stretch.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Each team is poised for the counterpunch before the first punch is even thrown.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 June 2025
There would be no counterpunch from Dodgers’ offense, which was missing Mookie Betts for a third-straight game because of a toe fracture (Betts said before the game his toe was starting to feel better, and went through pregame activities in hopes of avoiding a stint on the injured list).
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpunch
counterattack
Noun
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But Chicago responded with Kouamé scoring two minutes before the interval, showing great composure to slot home from close range after a counterattack led by Haile-Selassie.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Then later in the period, his save on a partial breakaway by Alexis Gendron spurred a B’s counterattack and a 2-on-1.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpunch. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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