counterattack

noun

coun·​ter·​at·​tack ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌtak How to pronounce counterattack (audio)
variants or counter-attack
plural counterattacks or counter-attacks
: an attack made in response to or in defense against an attack made by another
a series of attacks and counterattacks
Iraqi forces are advancing into the city of Fallujah, repelling a counter-attack by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) on Tuesday …Jack Moore
counterattack verb, transitive + intransitive
or counter-attack
counterattacked or counter-attacked; counterattacking or counter-attacking
Syrian rebels including jihadists counter-attacked the army and its allies on Friday aiming to break a weeks-long siege on eastern Aleppo, insurgents said. Ellen Francis and Angus McDowall
counterattacker noun
or counter-attacker
plural counterattackers or counter-attackers
Finally, the big man, bleeding profusely, succeeded in throwing his counterattacker off him. Andrew M. Greeley

Examples of counterattack in a Sentence

suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The danger to Ukrainian troops will only increase as the Russian counterattack intensifies. David Axe, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 Russia has deployed just under 60,000 troops to Kursk, the source said, adding that Moscow was increasing its counterattacks. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2024 After successfully riding the early waves of Arsenal attacks, Shakhtar grew into the game and started to look like a threat on the counterattack. Matias Grez, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024 Senior Beck Early added a slick steal and drawn exclusion early in the second period to set up Bradley for a counterattack goal. Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counterattack 

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterattack was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near counterattack

Cite this Entry

“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterattack. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

counterattack

noun
coun·​ter·​at·​tack
ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌtak
: an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
counterattack verb

More from Merriam-Webster on counterattack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!