counter 1 of 4

Definition of counternext

counter

2 of 4

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counter

3 of 4

adjective

counter

4 of 4

adverb

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 activity near the border, combined with the mysterious sightings near military installations, like Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia in 2023 and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey in 2024, contributed to the Pentagon's establishment of a joint task force to counter drones. Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026 The Pentagon reportedly flew drones and tested high-energy laser technology designed to counter unmanned aircraft. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Turning Point counter-broadcast hovered under 5 million concurrent viewers on YouTube. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026 Hosted by Turning Point USA, Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett acted as counter-programming to Bad Bunny. Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The counter-service operation has a large menu, which includes gyros, falafel, kebabs, curry and even burgers. Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026 At the time — or just afterwards — Newcastle bringing in Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall seemed either counter-intuitive or disastrous. George Caulkin, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The Los Angeles Rams counter with a veteran signal-caller in Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for over 2,400 yards this season, and their offense is powered by explosive playmakers. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025 To Brighton and their head coach’s credit, Palace showed little of their trademark counter-attacking threat. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
  • Hunters and non-hunters alike are opposing a mule deer eradication plan on Catalina Island that was recently approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
    Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Santa Clara, California — Mike Vrabel made his nnname in the NFL as a crunching outside linebacker, delivering punishment to opposing offenses and blowing up their plays on his way to winning multiple Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • If your aloe has produced offsets, when repotting, separate the offsets from the parent plant with a sharp knife.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Carbon offsets were achieved through the reforestation of the Nhamabwe salt pan with indigenous mangroves from the lodge’s own nursery.
    Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Your security guard is the opposite of the nurse.
    Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
  • But my former colleagues do the opposite.
    Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • What is, perhaps, a surprise is seeing a long-term trend, particularly apparent on decadal timescales, that tends towards a brighter (more negative) visual magnitude.
    Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The prior year featured consistently modest gains and several months of negative growth for payrolls.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • By the way, our Earth is only about 8,000 miles across.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the sinkhole had grown to 7 feet across and 10 feet deep and continues to actively erode the ground around it, Krul told The Star.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • For some people, dogs are a way to feel loved, to relieve pressures to have kids, to fight the drudgery of their job, to reduce the stress of the rat race and to connect with the outdoors.
    Margret Grebowicz, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Ask a Native person why Native people have volunteered to fight in the US’s wars overseas, including in Korea, my homeland, and Vietnam, the most recent nation of origin of many of my refugee friends.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • For residents like Christina Doyle, the goal isn’t to shut visitors out altogether, but to find a balance between access and preservation.
    Trista Kurniawan, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The event will, in particular, monitor several metrics, including motion control, dynamic balance, and impact resistance.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The hostile bid came as Nexstar Media Group agreed to acquire Tegna, in a $6 billion transaction that would run afoul of the FCC’s 39% ownership cap; Nexstar has filed for a waiver to the ownership cap.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer’s celebration of Hispanic culture could hardly have arrived at a more hostile moment for Latinos.
    Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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