noun
An attack made against someone who has just attacked you.
The team scored during a quick counterattack.
Common phrases & grammar
launch a counterattack · quick counterattack
American English
How to pronounce counterattack
noun · verbB2
KOWneruhtaak
/ˈkʰaʊ.nɚ.əˌtæk̚/
4 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
An attack made against someone who has just attacked you.
What to listen for
Counterattack is commonly pronounced /ˈkʰaʊn.tɚ.əˌtæk̚/. In natural speech, you may also hear /ˈkʰaʊ.nɚ.əˌtæk̚/, with the /t/ in counter reduced.
Usual pronunciation/ˈkʰaʊn.tɚ.əˌtæk̚/
Common reduced pronunciation/ˈkʰaʊ.nɚ.əˌtæk̚/
Meanings & examples
verb
To attack someone after they have attacked you.
The soldiers counterattacked at dawn.
Common phrases & grammar
counterattack the enemy · counterattack quickly
Related words & forms
counterattackedpast tense and past participlecounterattacksplural noun · third-person singularcounterattacking-ing form
The final consonant is doubled before -ed and -ing: counterattacked, counterattacking.