Word forms: counterattacks, counterattacking, counterattacked
intransitive verb
If you counterattack, you attack someone who has attacked you.
The security forces counterattacked the following day and quelled the unrest.
counterattack in British English
(ˈkaʊntərəˌtæk)
noun
1.
an attack in response to an attack
verb
2.
to make a counterattack (against)
counterattack in American English
(ˈkaʊntərəˌtæk; for v., also ˌ kaʊntərəˈtæk)
noun
1.
an attack made in opposition to, or in reprisal for, another attack
verb transitive, verb intransitive
2.
to attack in reprisal, or so as to offset the enemy's attack
Examples of 'counterattack' in a sentence
counterattack
You have to have a counterattacking game.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
After Arsenal scored they wanted to play on the counterattack but any team that defends deep tends to become narrow.
The Sun (2016)
He agrees that England hardly exist as a counterattacking team, at a time when so many tries and so much ground are gained from the counter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One team played counterattack and one had the initiative and played well without the sharpness you need.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He saw off the first few overs of the day and then launched a thrilling counterattack.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He often chose to take the role of defender in the expectation of launching a successful counterattack.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Lots of teams will play on the counterattack with quick and exciting forwards.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Derby took the lead from a counterattack.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It came when a turnover deep in their own half allowed the home team to launch a thrilling counterattack.
The Sun (2016)
He took them to ninth in his first full season, moulding a counterattacking team.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Tottenham were bright and dynamic, quick on the counterattack and dangerous from the outset.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Towards the end of the match, they were playing the counterattacking game at home.
The Sun (2006)
I had been concerned before that opening fixture because they were both counterattacking teams.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Russia have the best defensive record in Europe right now and a reputation for being quick on the counterattack.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Game suited his counterattacking style.
The Sun (2011)
Meanwhile, allies of Qatar launched a counterattack last week.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The home fans recognise swift, intelligent, counterattacking football when they see it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But when the Americans launched a withering counterattack the defenders sustained heavy casualties and were forced to abandon the town, which was subsequently ransacked.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
counterattack
British English: counterattack VERB
If you counterattack, you attack someone who has attacked you.
The security forces counterattacked the following day and quelled the unrest.
American English: counterattack
Brazilian Portuguese: contra-atacar
Chinese: 反击
European Spanish: contraatacar
French: contre-attaquer
German: einen Gegenangriff starten
Italian: contrattaccare
Japanese: 逆襲する
Korean: 역습하다
European Portuguese: contra-atacar
Latin American Spanish: contraatacar
British English: counter-attack VERB
If you counter-attack, you attack someone who has attacked you.
The security forces counter-attacked the following day and quelled the unrest.