counter 1 of 4

verb

ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio)
Definition of counternext
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counter

2 of 4

noun

ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio)
1
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective strong moral guidance at home is the best counter to the pernicious allure of popular culture

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2
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else her version of the domestic dispute was almost the exact counter of what actually happened

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counter

3 of 4

adjective

ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce counter (audio)
as in negative
opposed to one's interests was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counter

4 of 4

adverb

as in across

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counter
Verb
The revelations add pressure on an intelligence establishment trying to remake itself after decades, and complicate Berlin’s efforts to counter Russia’s hybrid war, as lawmakers debate expanding the BND’s powers. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Harbaugh countered that the only allegation the government has made of spying dated back to September 2025, and that his client's last contact with her Chinese government handlers, according to the complaint, was in October 2025. — Josh Boswell, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
The union’s counter-case The union has noted that the state agency’s process includes entirely leaving out additional state revenue that has come through annually in recent years even though it is not absolutely guaranteed. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 The researchers encoded a counter value based on the number of enemy characters in the game. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Tenpenny powered through a range of vocals — the lead, harmonies and some answer lines that provided counter melodies. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026 Numan said Iraq had established two joint Iraqi-Kurdish brigades focusing on counter-ISIS operations. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Then, counter with your own inspection and maintenance records. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 17 July 2026 Investigators with the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal later reviewed Ring camera footage from inside the home, which showed the family’s dog, Bo, jumping onto the kitchen counter before inadvertently activating the toaster. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
  1. oppose
  2. offset
  3. opposite
  4. negative
  5. across
  6. fight
  7. balance
  8. hostile
Verb
  • This was a leftism distinct from Marxism and later communism, but nonetheless opposed to the state, the capitalist class, and clericalism.
    — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Polling conducted by the Associated Press/NORC last year shows that more Americans oppose the current biannual clock change than those who support it—47% compared to just 12%.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of oppose
Noun
  • To frost the cake, dollop the buttercream onto the center of the cooled cake and use a spoon or an offset spatula to spread the buttercream across the top of the cake.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Step 6 Run a small offset spatula around edges of cake to loosen, then invert out onto rack.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of offset
Noun
  • The best approach might be the opposite—using cryptographic technologies like C2PA to label real images, video, and audio as they are created.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The neighbourhood/area Cultural, with the Prado Museum next door and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum opposite.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of opposite
Adjective
  • Multifamily apartment REITs are still in negative territory, as the sector continues to work through a period of oversupply and weaker rents.
    — Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, the result is a negative impact on a learning experience that students will be paying for into their 60s.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of negative
Adverb
  • Along the back wall, Neanderthals kept a row of small hearths, around 50 centimeters across and spaced a meter or so apart, with almost no debris around them.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Dippie’s mural, at 60 feet in height and nearly 20 feet across, is a formidable presence within the city’s creative landscape.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of across
Verb
  • Her body was found while clearing rubble and fighting a fire at the site, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration, said Friday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, Ley hopes, the results could help fight this side effect of vaccines and, by extension, encourage higher vaccination rates.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Future retirees should consider everything from income, expenses and retirement-account balances to Social Security, health insurance and tax costs, at 65 and 67.
    — John Csiszar, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The goal is not to abandon one home for another, but to explore whether a balance between two industry bases is possible.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of balance
Adjective
  • Still, her willingness to enjoy a hostile road crowd offers a useful perspective in a league where interactions with spectators have become such a consuming subject.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said the approval didn’t include hostile actions that go against international law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostile

Browse Nearby Words

countenancing
counter
counteraccusation
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Cite this Entry

“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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