as in opposes
to strive to reduce or eliminate
efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in offsets
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 opposites
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
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 counters
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026
At shorter ranges, the ForceShield short-range and very-short-range air defense (SHORAD/VSHORAD) layer counters low-altitude threats such as drones.
—David Szondy
march 12, New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2026
Phronesis counters the illusion that life’s problems have simple, one-size-fits-all solutions.
—Tim Hulsey, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
The fact the Patriots could wait until the summer while teams like the Bills, Ravens and Rams seemingly took themselves out of the running this week with other trades is an advantage until Philly counters with the fact Vrabel and Wolf are working with a bottom-10 receiving corps.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
That single data point directly counters the intuition many biology students and working scientists hold that vertebrate taxonomy is essentially finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Iran counters with its own missile attacks on Israel.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Eventually, Angelica says that Audrey wasn’t funny, which Audrey counters by saying that people were laughing, which is pretty good evidence that Angelica is wrong.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Van Noy counters this by layering in live greenery.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
No matter the size, the decor is all Old World luxury—brocade upholstery, crystal lamp bases, and marble counters.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Part of the chain's strategy has been to open more pharmacy counters within Target stores and its small, in-store MinuteClinics for minor illnesses and injuries and simple care like vaccines.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
A lot of the rail cars still need counters added.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Behind the glittering stage and endless food counters, a team of nearly 150 people –– from decorators to caterers ––worked to make this wedding happen.
—Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Arizona brings pace and offensive firepower; Michigan counters with size, efficiency, and arguably the most complete roster left in the field.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
The additions range from 10-seat fine-dining counters to casual food stalls.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Allen won the possession game, but Sam Houston found a groove with counters and seemed to gain momentum as the match continued.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Termini counters DraftKings’ assertion that the NCAA’s deal with Genius Sports undermines its position.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026
At shorter ranges, the ForceShield short-range and very-short-range air defense (SHORAD/VSHORAD) layer counters low-altitude threats such as drones.
—David Szondy
march 12, New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2026
Phronesis counters the illusion that life’s problems have simple, one-size-fits-all solutions.
—Tim Hulsey, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
The fact the Patriots could wait until the summer while teams like the Bills, Ravens and Rams seemingly took themselves out of the running this week with other trades is an advantage until Philly counters with the fact Vrabel and Wolf are working with a bottom-10 receiving corps.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
That single data point directly counters the intuition many biology students and working scientists hold that vertebrate taxonomy is essentially finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Iran counters with its own missile attacks on Israel.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Eventually, Angelica says that Audrey wasn’t funny, which Audrey counters by saying that people were laughing, which is pretty good evidence that Angelica is wrong.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026
Van Noy counters this by layering in live greenery.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Miami has no shortage of options, from the ramen shops and food halls in the Wynwood Business Improvement District to sushi counters along South Beach.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
No matter the size, the decor is all Old World luxury—brocade upholstery, crystal lamp bases, and marble counters.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Part of the chain's strategy has been to open more pharmacy counters within Target stores and its small, in-store MinuteClinics for minor illnesses and injuries and simple care like vaccines.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
A lot of the rail cars still need counters added.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Behind the glittering stage and endless food counters, a team of nearly 150 people –– from decorators to caterers ––worked to make this wedding happen.
—Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Arizona brings pace and offensive firepower; Michigan counters with size, efficiency, and arguably the most complete roster left in the field.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
The additions range from 10-seat fine-dining counters to casual food stalls.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Allen won the possession game, but Sam Houston found a groove with counters and seemed to gain momentum as the match continued.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counters
Verb
-
But a local group, Middlebury Small Town Alliance that opposes warehouse construction particularly at the Timex property, filed a legal challenge in Waterbury Superior Court.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
-
McMorrow opposes Schumer; el Sayed did not respond.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
However, even with increasing emissions, the largest companies should be able to afford enough renewable energy and offsets to meet carbon-neutral goals.—
Tammy Webber,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
However, even with increasing emissions, the largest companies should be able to afford enough renewable energy and offsets to meet carbon-neutral goals.—
Tammy Webber,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Etiquette neither knows nor cares who is generous and who is stingy, and indecisive and rude are not opposites.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Sparks and bullets fly when these opposites are partnered to track down a billion-dollar cache of deadly opioids stolen from the vault of a multinational pharmaceutical company that threaten to flood the streets of Chicago.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Blaydes fights Josh Hokit on the main card of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Lamont fights fire with facts.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Borrowers closed out 2025 with a record-high amount of household debt, with credit card balances accounting for a hefty portion of it.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Filers aren’t required to report bank balances and primary residences — exactly the kinds of assets that constitute most people’s wealth.—
Alyce McFadden,
San Francisco Chronicle,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counters. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
