counteroffensive
noun
coun·ter·of·fen·sive
ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv 
: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive
Synonyms
Examples of counteroffensive in a Sentence
They mounted a counteroffensive against the enemy.
the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn
Recent Examples on the Web
In September 2022, Ukrainian forces launched a successful counteroffensive in northern Kharkiv region.
—
Katya Soldak, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Analysts believe that Ukraine is unlikely to start a major counteroffensive this year, choosing instead to spend the time reconstituting its forces.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Russian counteroffensives, while successful in halting Ukraine's advances and pushing its soldiers out of the territory gained in the first few weeks, have so far failed to entirely repel Kyiv back to its borders.
—Hugh Cameron, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Since a yearlong Russian counteroffensive escalated this fall, however, the loss rate increased—a lot.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
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Katya Soldak, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Analysts believe that Ukraine is unlikely to start a major counteroffensive this year, choosing instead to spend the time reconstituting its forces.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Russian counteroffensives, while successful in halting Ukraine's advances and pushing its soldiers out of the territory gained in the first few weeks, have so far failed to entirely repel Kyiv back to its borders.
—Hugh Cameron, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Since a yearlong Russian counteroffensive escalated this fall, however, the loss rate increased—a lot.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteroffensive
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Dictionary Entries Near counteroffensive
Cite this Entry
“Counteroffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteroffensive. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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counteroffensive
noun
coun·ter·of·fen·sive
ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌfen(t)-siv
: a large-scale counterattack
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