Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense counteracts, present participle counteracting, past tense, past participle counteracted
verb
To counteract something means to reduce its effect by doing something that produces an opposite effect.
My husband has to take several pills to counteract high blood pressure. [VERB noun]
This event will counteract such trends. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: offset, negate, neutralize, invalidate More Synonyms of counteract
More Synonyms of counteract
counteract in British English
(ˌkaʊntərˈækt)
verb
(transitive)
to oppose, neutralize, or mitigate the effects of by contrary action; check
Derived forms
counteraction (ˌcounterˈaction)
noun
counteractive (ˌcounterˈactive)
adjective
counteractively (ˌcounterˈactively)
adverb
counteract in American English
(ˌkaʊntərˈækt)
verb transitive
to act directly against; check, neutralize, or undo the effect of with opposing action
Derived forms
counteraction (ˌcounterˈaction)
noun
counteractive (ˌcounterˈactive)
adjective, noun
Examples of 'counteract' in a sentence
counteract
Another approach could be to use drugs to counteract the worst effects of the radiation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
How do our heroes plan to counteract the cosmic threat?
The Sun (2006)
This is essentially because we are probably not doing enough to counteract the possible effects of global warming.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
By confusing your memory, you can counteract this tendency and perceive the world anew.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
So you need to do 200 calories worth of extra exercise to counteract this effect.
The Sun (2013)
Plan how you'll counteract your selling problem.
Hopkins, Tom The Guide to Greatness in Sales (1994)
To counteract this tendency, individuals and their firms must have a sense of their responsibilities for the broader system.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
And it turned out that the best way to counteract the effects of not eating by day was to go on a diet by night.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Sufferers are aware that unless they do something to counteract the nutritional effects of the food,they will gain weight.
French, Barbara Coping with Bulimia (1987)
Or you could ensure that you make changes in your diet and lifestyle to counteract the problems that the Pill can cause.
Colette Harris, With Theresa Cheung PCOS DIET BOOK: How you can use the nutritional approach to deal with polycysticovary syndrome (2002)
Clean uncluttered shapes work particularly well in this context, where anything fussy would counteract the effect of calming and grounding an otherwise busy scene.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They counteract the tendency in twenty-first century America towards biblical illiteracy.
Christianity Today (2000)
But the way I used to deal with the pressure was to counteract it with very peaceful times on my own.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
counteract
British English: counteract VERB
To counteract something means to reduce its effect by doing something that produces an opposite effect.
My husband has to take several pills to counteract high blood pressure.
American English: counteract
Brazilian Portuguese: neutralizar
Chinese: 对…起反作用
European Spanish: contrarrestar
French: compenser
German: entgegenwirken
Italian: neutralizzare
Japanese: 対抗する
Korean: 대응하다
European Portuguese: neutralizar
Latin American Spanish: contrarrestar
Chinese translation of 'counteract'
counteract
(ˈkauntərˈækt)
vt
[effect, tendency]对(對)抗 (duìkàng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to act against or neutralize
Many countries within the region are planning measures to counteract a missile attack.
Synonyms
act against
check
Today's meeting must focus on checking the spread of violence.
defeat
The challenges of constructing such a huge novel almost defeated her.
prevent
We took steps to prevent it happening.
These methods prevent pregnancy.
oppose
Mr Taylor was bitter towards those who had opposed him.
resist
They resisted our attempts to modernize distribution.
frustrate
The government has deliberately frustrated his efforts.
foil
A brave police chief foiled an armed robbery.
thwart
They were doing all they could to thwart the opposition.
hinder
Landslides are continuing to hinder the arrival of relief supplies.
cross
He was not a man to cross.
2 (verb)
Definition
to act against or neutralize
pills to counteract high blood pressure
Synonyms
offset
The increase in pay costs was more than offset by higher productivity.
negate
These environmental protection laws could be negated if the EU decides they interfere with trade.
neutralize
antibodies that neutralize the toxic effects of soluble antigens
invalidate
An official decree invalidated the vote.
counterbalance
Add honey to counterbalance the acidity of the sauce.
annul
The marriage was annulled last month.
obviate (formal)
This would obviate the need for a surgical operation.
countervail
Additional synonyms
in the sense of annul
Definition
to declare (a contract or marriage) invalid
The marriage was annulled last month.
Synonyms
invalidate,
reverse,
cancel,
abolish,
void,
repeal,
recall,
revoke,
retract,
negate,
rescind,
nullify,
obviate,
abrogate,
countermand,
declare or render null and void
in the sense of check
Definition
to slow the growth or progress of
Today's meeting must focus on checking the spread of violence.
Synonyms
stop,
control,
limit,
arrest,
delay,
halt,
curb,
bar,
restrain,
inhibit,
rein,
thwart,
hinder,
repress,
obstruct,
retard,
impede,
bridle,
stem the flow of,
nip in the bud,
put a spoke in someone's wheel
in the sense of counterbalance
Definition
to act as a counterbalance to
Add honey to counterbalance the acidity of the sauce.