as in counterattack
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
the last, desperate counterpunch of the German armies, known as the Battle of the Bulge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 counterpunch
The Iranian counterpunch this time consisted chiefly of attacks against its Gulf neighbors, most of whom had declined to get involved in this war.
—
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
But the Aztecs had a counterpunch for every Cowboys jab – a Miles Byrd drive that drew two free throws, a jump hook off the glass from Pharaoh Compton, a 3 from Magoon Gwath, a 3 from Taj DeGourville , a jumper in traffic from Dixon-Waters.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The counterpunch for Republicans is the fact that off-year elections — those held in odd years not during traditional general elections — get less attention and are often poor measures for the overall mood of the electorate.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
Aside from the officiating controversy, the Bucs had little success finding a counterpunch to the Lions’ running game.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpunch
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
But the Aztecs had a counterpunch for every Cowboys jab – a Miles Byrd drive that drew two free throws, a jump hook off the glass from Pharaoh Compton, a 3 from Magoon Gwath, a 3 from Taj DeGourville , a jumper in traffic from Dixon-Waters.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The counterpunch for Republicans is the fact that off-year elections — those held in odd years not during traditional general elections — get less attention and are often poor measures for the overall mood of the electorate.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
Aside from the officiating controversy, the Bucs had little success finding a counterpunch to the Lions’ running game.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpunch
counterattack
Noun
-
After Orlando squandered a chance on the counterattack, Philadelphia capitalized in transition to erase the remaining deficit.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
William Nylander scored a rush goal on the counterattack.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterpunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpunch. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
