variants
or counter-strikes
as in counterattacks
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
after countless strikes and counterstrikes, the positions of both armies remained essentially unchanged
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Recent Examples of counterstrikes
As Russia’s advance stalls, Ukraine boosts long-range strikes After a series of gains last year, Russia’s advances along the over 600-mile front line have ground to a near halt recently, and Ukraine’s armed forces have launched successful counterstrikes and reclaimed some ground.
—
Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The cost of international benchmark Brent crude oil soared at the end of March, after Iranian counterstrikes in the Gulf region effectively closed a major oil trading corridor, the Strait of Hormuz.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Ongoing strikes and counterstrikes on Persian Gulf refineries, pipelines, gas fields and tanker terminals threaten to the prolong the global economic pain for months, even years.
—Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Ongoing strikes and counterstrikes on Persian Gulf refineries, pipelines, gas fields and tanker terminals threaten to the prolong the global economic pain for months, even years.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
This is especially important in fast-moving conflict zones where exposure even for a short time can lead to counterstrikes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The attacks and counterstrikes, combined with Iran’s ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, sent oil and natural gas prices soaring on global markets.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, Iran has launched counterstrikes on neighboring countries.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Qatar has been targeted by Iranian counterstrikes on its capital Doha, its airport, and other civilian and state infrastructure.
—Justin Papp,pippa Stevens,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,lee Ying Shan,vinay Dwivedi, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The cost of international benchmark Brent crude oil soared at the end of March, after Iranian counterstrikes in the Gulf region effectively closed a major oil trading corridor, the Strait of Hormuz.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Ongoing strikes and counterstrikes on Persian Gulf refineries, pipelines, gas fields and tanker terminals threaten to the prolong the global economic pain for months, even years.
—Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Ongoing strikes and counterstrikes on Persian Gulf refineries, pipelines, gas fields and tanker terminals threaten to the prolong the global economic pain for months, even years.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
This is especially important in fast-moving conflict zones where exposure even for a short time can lead to counterstrikes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The attacks and counterstrikes, combined with Iran’s ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, sent oil and natural gas prices soaring on global markets.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, Iran has launched counterstrikes on neighboring countries.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Qatar has been targeted by Iranian counterstrikes on its capital Doha, its airport, and other civilian and state infrastructure.
—Justin Papp,pippa Stevens,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,lee Ying Shan,vinay Dwivedi, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterstrikes
counterattacks
Noun
-
On the battlefield, Ukrainian counterattacks have driven the Russian army out of more than 150 square miles of southern Ukraine since the end of last year, Western analysts say.—
Dan Bashakov,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
This will be key, as one of Giraldez’s main tactics to cause Barcelona problems will be counterattacks.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterstrikes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterstrikes. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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