counterattack
/ˈkaʊn.tər.ə.tæk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚ.ə.tæk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌtak/ (ame, mw) · /ˌkaʊn.tər.əˈtæk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkaʊn.t̬ɚ.əˈtæk/ (ame, ipa)
counterattack — noun
- counterattacksingular
- counterattacksplural
1. a military move in which a force that has already been hit strikes back at the e
a military move in which a force that has already been hit strikes back at the enemy, usually to take back lost ground or stop further advances
General Harrington ordered a counterattack at dawn after the enemy broke through.
collocation: ordered a counterattack
The regiment's swift counterattack pushed the opposing forces back across the river by nightfall.
A well-timed counterattack can turn the course of an entire battle in minutes.
Commander Adebayo waited until the shelling stopped before launching the counterattack.
The counterattack came so suddenly that the advancing battalion had no time to dig in.
- counteroffensive
usually a larger, more sustained military operation
- counterstrike
emphasizes a single, sudden blow
- reprisal
often implies retaliation for a specific wrong rather than a tactical move
用法筆記
Subject is usually a military unit or commander. Commonly used with verbs like order, launch, mount.
常見錯誤
2. a sharp verbal or written reply to someone who has attacked your position, argum
a sharp verbal or written reply to someone who has attacked your position, argument, or reputation, especially in politics or public debate
Senator Okonkwo's counterattack on live television left his accuser visibly shaken.
collocation: counterattack on [person]
The mayor issued a sharp counterattack after the newspaper questioned her budget plan.
Minister Farouk's counterattack focused on the weaknesses in the opposition's tax proposal.
Within twenty-four hours, the ministry published a detailed counterattack to the leaked report.
Deputy Premier Ito's counterattack in the debate won over several undecided voters.
- rebuttal
more formal; often a structured counter-argument
- retort
a quick, sharp verbal reply, less planned
- refutation
focuses on proving the original claim false
- concession
admitting the opponent is right
用法筆記
Typically appears in political or public-debate contexts. The target is a person, group, or argument rather than a physical force.
3. in games like football or basketball, a quick move toward the opponent's goal or
in games like football or basketball, a quick move toward the opponent's goal or basket, made while the other team is pushing forward and has left its own end less guarded
The team scored their third goal from a lightning counterattack down the right wing.
collocation: lightning counterattack
Coach Yamamoto's side relied on counterattacks because their defence absorbed pressure well.
The keeper caught the corner and launched a counterattack with a long throw.
A single counterattack in the eighty-second minute decided the whole Champions League final.
Barcelona's counterattack caught the opposition with too many players committed up the pitch.
- fast break
more common in basketball; a broader term
- breakaway
emphasizes a single player escaping defenders
- counter
shorter and more informal, common in sports commentary
用法筆記
Common in football (soccer), basketball, and rugby. The key element is exploiting the space left behind by an opponent who has pushed too many players forward.
4. a strategic move by a company to fight back against a rival's action, such as a
a strategic move by a company to fight back against a rival's action, such as a price cut, advertising campaign, or product launch
The bakery's counterattack, a half-price pastry week, drew customers away from the new chain.
NexaTech's counterattack involved cutting subscription fees and adding premium support overnight.
collocation: counterattack involved [action]
A swift counterattack in the smartphone market forced the rival to delay its launch.
The board approved an aggressive counterattack after the competitor began poaching their top engineers.
Without a strong counterattack, the start-up would lose its foothold in the delivery-app market.
- countermove
broader; can include defensive as well as offensive actions
- retaliatory move
emphasizes payback rather than strategy
counterattack — verb
- counterattackpresent simple I / you / we / they
- counterattacks3rd person singular
- counterattacking-ing form
- counterattackedpast simple
1. to launch a return attack against an enemy force that has struck first, typicall
to launch a return attack against an enemy force that has struck first, typically to stop their advance or regain lost ground
Colonel Dubois counterattacked at midnight, sending two battalions around the enemy's left side.
transitive use: counterattacked + time and troop movement
The garrison waited three days before they counterattacked, hoping the besiegers would grow tired.
When the first wave faltered, the commander counterattacked with every reserve unit still available.
The troops counterattacked through the narrow mountain pass, catching the invaders off guard.
Commander Khalil chose to counterattack rather than retreat, knowing the river blocked any escape.
- strike back
less formal, more general
- retaliate
emphasizes revenge rather than tactical purpose
文法句型
counterattack + against
用法筆記
Used both transitively ('They counterattacked the enemy position') and intransitively ('The troops counterattacked'). Often followed by a time or location phrase.
2. to respond to an opponent's criticism or public attack by arguing forcefully aga
to respond to an opponent's criticism or public attack by arguing forcefully against them, often by releasing evidence or questioning their credibility
Minister Sorensen counterattacked by releasing documents that disproved the bribery allegations.
Ingrid counterattacked fiercely during the press conference, calling the rumours a deliberate smear.
collocation: counterattacked fiercely
The candidate counterattacked online within an hour of the attack ad going live.
Rather than staying silent, Deputy Minister Tan counterattacked with a detailed statement to every news outlet.
The senator's team counterattacked by questioning the credibility of the journalist who wrote the original piece.
文法句型
counterattack + by + -ing
用法筆記
Often followed by 'by + -ing' to describe the method used. Common in political journalism.
3. in sports, to break forward quickly toward the opponent's goal when the other si
in sports, to break forward quickly toward the opponent's goal when the other side has pushed too many players up the field or court, creating open space
The striker counterattacked down the left flank after stealing the ball near midfield.
collocation: counterattacked down [direction]
Jin-Soo's side counterattacked brilliantly, racing from their own box to the net in seven seconds.
Every time the home side pushed forward, the visitors counterattacked and looked dangerous.
Lopez counterattacked past two defenders before curling the ball into the top corner.
The team counterattacked with five players sprinting forward, overwhelming the two remaining defenders.
文法句型
counterattack + down the wing/flank
用法筆記
Subject is usually a team or a specific player. Often used with adverbs of manner: brilliantly, swiftly, dangerously.
4. to hit back at a business rival by launching a competing product, lowering price
to hit back at a business rival by launching a competing product, lowering prices, or running a campaign against them
The publisher counterattacked by slashing e-book prices when the rival platform launched.
When the larger firm entered their market, the local company counterattacked with a loyalty programme.
collocation: counterattacked with [tool/strategy]
The electronics firm counterattacked by launching a cheaper tablet just before the holiday shopping season.
The airline counterattacked against the low-cost newcomer with deeply discounted weekend fares.
Rather than matching the discount, the brand counterattacked by highlighting its superior build quality.
- absorb
choosing not to respond to a competitor's move
文法句型
counterattack + by + -ing
counterattack + with + noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually a company, brand, or executive. The action taken is typically a strategic business move such as price cuts or new product launches.