counteract
verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈakt 
counteracted; counteracting; counteracts
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence
a drug used to counteract fatigue
Synonyms
Examples of counteract in a Sentence
The drug will counteract the poison.
this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
Recent Examples on the Web
Zero-tolerance measures can counteract what some experts consider a crucial tool for protecting students and the larger community.
by Aliyya Swaby April 17, 5 a.m. EDT
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ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
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Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 17 Apr. 2024
Sometimes, sharing our grief with others who knew the deceased can counteract the loneliness of loss.
—Vogue, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteract 
Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 17 Apr. 2024
Sometimes, sharing our grief with others who knew the deceased can counteract the loneliness of loss.
—Vogue, 8 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteract
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counteract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near counteract
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteract. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counteract
verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to lessen the force, action, or influence of : offset
a drug that counteracts a poison
Medical Definition
counteract
transitive verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by an opposite force
vitamin K counteracts the effects of warfarin
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