as in opposes
to strive to reduce or eliminate
efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in offsets
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
strong moral guidance at home is the best counter to the pernicious allure of popular culture
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in opposites
something that is as different as possible from something else
her version of the domestic dispute was almost the exact counter of what actually happened
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 counters
David Szondy
march 12, New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2026
Phronesis counters the illusion that life’s problems have simple, one-size-fits-all solutions.
—Tim Hulsey, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
The fact the Patriots could wait until the summer while teams like the Bills, Ravens and Rams seemingly took themselves out of the running this week with other trades is an advantage until Philly counters with the fact Vrabel and Wolf are working with a bottom-10 receiving corps.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
That single data point directly counters the intuition many biology students and working scientists hold that vertebrate taxonomy is essentially finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Iran counters with its own missile attacks on Israel.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Eventually, Angelica says that Audrey wasn’t funny, which Audrey counters by saying that people were laughing, which is pretty good evidence that Angelica is wrong.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Van Noy counters this by layering in live greenery.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Ukraine counters Russia by arguing against giving up territory that Russia hasn't been able to claim during the war.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026
Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Pairing with technology More specialized counters come with compatible software or an app that works on different devices, such as smartphones or computers.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Large airport-style digital displays showing court schedules replace stapled paper handouts, and jurors can check in with court staff at digital counters or via QR codes at jury assembly kiosks.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
It was run by two old women, who stood behind old counters, in front of walls with thousands of old shellac platters.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
Pesticides Campbell recommends keeping these items out of sight and reach of children, including off kitchen counters and bedside tables.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
As tipping prompts pop up everywhere — from coffee counters to convenience stores — many Americans are feeling fed up and confused about what's appropriate.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Colored with wood tones and cherry and mahogany counters and furniture, Kinsho centers around an 18-seat sushi bar and also includes banquette seating and a communal wooden table primarily reserved for walk-ins.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Entryways and showers are outlined in funky, geometric black-and-white patterns, while bathroom floors and counters are a jaunty terrazzo.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
At shorter ranges, the ForceShield short-range and very-short-range air defense (SHORAD/VSHORAD) layer counters low-altitude threats such as drones.
—David Szondy
march 12, New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2026
Phronesis counters the illusion that life’s problems have simple, one-size-fits-all solutions.
—Tim Hulsey, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
The fact the Patriots could wait until the summer while teams like the Bills, Ravens and Rams seemingly took themselves out of the running this week with other trades is an advantage until Philly counters with the fact Vrabel and Wolf are working with a bottom-10 receiving corps.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
That single data point directly counters the intuition many biology students and working scientists hold that vertebrate taxonomy is essentially finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Iran counters with its own missile attacks on Israel.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Eventually, Angelica says that Audrey wasn’t funny, which Audrey counters by saying that people were laughing, which is pretty good evidence that Angelica is wrong.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Van Noy counters this by layering in live greenery.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Ukraine counters Russia by arguing against giving up territory that Russia hasn't been able to claim during the war.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Still, few people waited at ticket counters or in line at Au Bon Pain, and nobody was waiting to order anything at Starbucks.
—Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Pairing with technology More specialized counters come with compatible software or an app that works on different devices, such as smartphones or computers.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Large airport-style digital displays showing court schedules replace stapled paper handouts, and jurors can check in with court staff at digital counters or via QR codes at jury assembly kiosks.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
It was run by two old women, who stood behind old counters, in front of walls with thousands of old shellac platters.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
Pesticides Campbell recommends keeping these items out of sight and reach of children, including off kitchen counters and bedside tables.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
As tipping prompts pop up everywhere — from coffee counters to convenience stores — many Americans are feeling fed up and confused about what's appropriate.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Colored with wood tones and cherry and mahogany counters and furniture, Kinsho centers around an 18-seat sushi bar and also includes banquette seating and a communal wooden table primarily reserved for walk-ins.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Entryways and showers are outlined in funky, geometric black-and-white patterns, while bathroom floors and counters are a jaunty terrazzo.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counters
Verb
-
The instinctive Moon opposes jovial Jupiter, tangling your 10th House of Ambition with your 4th House of Comfort.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The nationalist president opposes Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s EU coordination push and proposed an alternative plan using national resources for defense spending.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In some cases, benefit offsets (where the VA withholds part of your monthly benefit to repay a debt) can be adjusted to reduce the financial strain.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
And for the environmentally conscious, Avocado is a B-Corp brand that uses renewable energy at their factories and purchases carbon offsets for shipping.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Broncos and Raiders are, at the moment, football opposites.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg — ideological opposites — famously attended the opera together.—
Steven Sloan,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He is forced out of his kingdom, sparking conflict, and eventually fights his way back.—
Ryan Brennan
March 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
-
These are intriguing threads Disco almost fights.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Part of the issue is that credit card balances remain elevated, as do the average rates tied to them.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
But even lowering your balances could save you hundreds in interest and fees.—
Dan Avery,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counters. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
