as in attack
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterattack
Last season, though, that approach became stale and too many teams were comfortable defending their box before launching counterattacks.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 June 2025
However, a vital and relatively underrated figure might be Patri Guijarro, whose work at the base of midfield will be critical in thwarting opposition counterattacks and helping protect the defense.
—Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Israel began attacks on Iran's nuclear program and military facilities on June 13, prompting counterattacks from Iran.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 25 June 2025
The attack killed several top leaders and nuclear scientists, sparking a counterattack from Iran.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 June 2025
However, a vital and relatively underrated figure might be Patri Guijarro, whose work at the base of midfield will be critical in thwarting opposition counterattacks and helping protect the defense.
—Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Israel began attacks on Iran's nuclear program and military facilities on June 13, prompting counterattacks from Iran.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 25 June 2025
The attack killed several top leaders and nuclear scientists, sparking a counterattack from Iran.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
-
From 21 March on, the gang launched attacks against several areas in the communes of Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite and Marchand Dessalines.—
Jacqueline Charles
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
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In one attack in late January, Russian drones hit an apartment complex in an overnight attack, killing nine people and injuring 13.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Russia has captured some territory in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine has conducted counteroffensives with mixed results.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
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Many were deployed to Russia's Kursk region where Ukraine has been conducting a counteroffensive.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Counterattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattack. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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