counterattacknoun [ C ]
uk/ˈkaʊn.tər.ə.tæk/us/ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚ.ə.tæk/an attack intended to stop or oppose an attack by an enemy or competitor:
The Republicans have still not been able to launch a strong counterattack against the new healthcare system.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Responding to an attack
- beat
- beat sb off
- beat sb/sth back
- capitulate
- fend sb off
- fight
- fight back
- fight fire with fire idiom
- parry
- pull (sb/sth) out
- repel
- repulse
- resist
- resistance
- resistance
- retreat
- see sb off
- strike
- white flag
- withdrawal
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Answering & responding
counterattack
verb [ I or T ] uk/ˌkaʊn.tər.əˈtæk/us/ˌkaʊn.t̬ɚ.əˈtæk/
The air force counterattacked and repelled the invasion.