as in counterattacks
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn
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Recent Examples of counteroffensives
Shyriaiev is holed up in Sumy, a strategically important oblast that borders Russia, and has been the centerpiece of Ukrainian counteroffensives this fall.
—
Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025
Then, Ukraine reclaimed significant ground in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts during counteroffensives.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Initial Russian gains occurred primarily in the early months of the war, with Ukrainian counteroffensives regaining significant areas in Kharkiv and Kherson provinces.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025
Then, Ukraine reclaimed significant ground in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts during counteroffensives.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Initial Russian gains occurred primarily in the early months of the war, with Ukrainian counteroffensives regaining significant areas in Kharkiv and Kherson provinces.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counteroffensives
counterattacks
Noun
-
The Mexican team had no interest in trying to match SDFC’s ball-control game, nor did its counterattacks pose many challenges.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Tight baseline battles, pressure from Shelton and counterattacks from Ruud, using the violent topspin of those big looping forehands.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counteroffensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counteroffensives. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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