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
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Recent Examples of counterattack
Iran responded with a drone counterattack, and Israel declared the strikes were only the first wave in a broader campaign to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
—
Morgan Phillips, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
The counterattack also forced Israel to use its fighter jets to further target Iranian launch sites over the course of a 12-day war that cost Israel hundreds of millions of dollars a day.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Either initiating or finishing breaks, set pieces and counterattacks, the 5-foot-8½ veteran of six European leagues often did it with aplomb.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
Even so, the Ukrainians have launched counterattacks in some areas and are rapidly developing a domestic weapons industry.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Morgan Phillips, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
The counterattack also forced Israel to use its fighter jets to further target Iranian launch sites over the course of a 12-day war that cost Israel hundreds of millions of dollars a day.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Either initiating or finishing breaks, set pieces and counterattacks, the 5-foot-8½ veteran of six European leagues often did it with aplomb.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
Even so, the Ukrainians have launched counterattacks in some areas and are rapidly developing a domestic weapons industry.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterattack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattack
Noun
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The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
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Walmart provided security footage that reportedly confirms both the attack and the theft.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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What followed was a bold counteroffensive that would become recognized as one of the most successful operations in Indian military history.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 May 2025
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Russia has captured some territory in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine has conducted counteroffensives with mixed results.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 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 30 Jul. 2025.
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