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counter

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noun

1
as in offset
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 opposite
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

counter

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adjective

counter

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adverb

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 counter
Verb
Baeza’s second-class-citizen status, glaringly disproportionate to his athletic gifts, runs directly counter to the core raison d’etre of the Derby’s points system, which was instituted twelve years ago to distill the talent selected for the Kentucky Derby gate. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 And Trump is acting counter to federal law in doing so, which is no surprise for him. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 June 2025
Noun
The Cardinals are expected to counter with Sonny Gray, who is 10-5 this season with a 4.21 ERA. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025 Melvin countered by going with a pinch-hitter in Flores, who drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and brought the Giants within two runs. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Sandler paid tribute to the late Cameron Boyce in a quick cameo when Happy walks up to a check-in booth where a person behind the counter is seen watching an episode of Jessie, which Boyce starred in from 2011 to 2015. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 31 July 2025 Last fall, continuous glucose monitors became available over the counter. Jia Jung, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
Adverb
The council action is counter to the position taken by the Naperville Financial Advisory Board, which voted 5-1 in May to recommend the adoption of the grocery tax over increasing the home rule sales tax. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 Staycation Woven Counter Height Stool This counter stool blends textures for a unique yet timeless look. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
  • Many activists in Oak Park have consistently opposed the cameras and called for their removal.
    Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
  • President Donald Trump does not oppose the plan and has decided not to intervene in the conflict, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • An Education Department spokesperson told CNBC in an email Tuesday that the department has not offset any Social Security benefits since restarting collections on May 5 and has paused future Social Security offsets.
    Annie Nova, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025
  • And even with a partial offset, child care is a huge expense and most companies simply don’t have the margin to subsidize it.
    Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • While many acne-fighting products tend to compromise barrier function, this is the rare formula that does the opposite.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2025
  • That’s the opposite of what Trump, already busy with trade talks, warfare in the Middle East and other challenges, wants to talk about now.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Fewer visitors translate to less visitor spending, and in turn to lower tax revenue and job losses in the tourism industry, sending a negative ripple effect throughout the national economy.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The negative consequences of this content go well beyond the individuals misquoted.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Eventually, the ground will subside, leaving behind a crater about 1,000 feet deep and nearly 2 miles across, obliterating Oak Flat and its religious and environmental significance.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Also moving across is Alpecin Deceuninck’s Edward Planckaert, known for his one-day and stage racing and being a reliable cog in sprint leadouts.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Following emancipation, Black families fought to reunite, underscoring the idea of family as foundational to their status as free people, as described by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2025
  • In 2022, only 22 percent of Ukrainians favored a negotiated end to the war, and 73 percent favored Ukraine fighting until victory.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The acidity from the tomatoes and the sweetness from the corn balance the smokiness out nicely, as does the rich queso fresco and fresh cilantro.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Incorporating lateral lunges into your routine targets multiple muscle groups, improving balance and coordination.
    Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In recent weeks, both have also moved military forces to the border near Assab and are engaging in escalating exchanges of hostile rhetoric.
    Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
  • But the Trump administration's hostile posture toward renewable energy and climate policy has brought volatility and slower growth.
    Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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