counterstrike

noun

coun·​ter·​strike ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌstrīk How to pronounce counterstrike (audio)
variants or counter-strike
plural counterstrikes or counter-strikes
: a strike that retaliates against or counters earlier strike : a return strike
government counterstrikes against the rebel stronghold
… the belief on both sides that any attack would be met with an equally devastating counterstrike.W. J. Hennigan and Brian Bennett

Examples of counterstrike in a Sentence

after countless strikes and counterstrikes, the positions of both armies remained essentially unchanged
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
After the counterstrikes began, Anera helped W.C.K. obtain permission to enter Gaza, and the two groups began opening community kitchens together. Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 The region is currently bracing for Israel’s response to a ballistic missile barrage from Iran in late September and, in turn, a possible counterstrike from Iran. Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2024 Iran’s leaders likely saw themselves as having only bad choices: stand by and lose both what was left of its diminishing deterrence as an adversary and credibility as an ally, or enter the fray once more despite the risk of an even greater counterstrike from Israel. Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024 Such talk has alarmed U.S. officials, who have reportedly urged Israel to avoid nuclear installations and assets in any counterstrike. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counterstrike 

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterstrike was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near counterstrike

Cite this Entry

“Counterstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterstrike. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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