as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in negative
opposed to one's interests
was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counter
Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Economists and health‑policy experts counter that even aggressive savings in prescription drugs and billing reform would only touch part of what is driving a $38 trillion debt built on structural deficits, rising interest costs and political gridlock.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Graziano's not only sells its sausage over the counter, but offers shipping nationwide and sells its products regionally through supermarkets that include Hy-Vee.
—Philip Joens, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Davis Winkie, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Patients usually recover on their own and can take steps to manage symptoms, including using over-the counter medications for pain and fever and making sure to stay hydrated.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
The peaceful rallies were held counter to Trump's 79th birthday and a major military parade in Washington, D.C.
What happened at the first No Kings rally?
—Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counter
Verb
This, in turn, reinforced Webster’s own initial claim about his fight with the MPD cop—that Rathbun had provoked the encounter by striking him in the head, then lied about it to counter Webster’s righteous assertion of self-defense, resulting in his wrongful conviction.
—Noun
Whatever language is used to describe it — counter-narcotics, stabilization, transition — this was an act of war, undertaken without the constitutional mechanisms designed to restrain exactly this kind of unilateral executive action.
—Adjective
The counter-drug campaign, which legal experts argue could violate the law, has faced criticism from regional leaders such as Colombia's President Gustavo Petro.
—Adverb
And when placed counter to men in power, we’re shamed; just take the long-overdue imprisonment of Diddy and the public vitriol towards his female victims.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter
Verb
-
The act of extinction, formalized thousands of miles away during the course of a tense meeting, had involved opposing factions in the company responsible for the destiny of Skinny Pedro and his companions.—
-
And if Tommy is opposed to big risks, Cami can’t have him as the president of her company anymore.—
Noun
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Houses have been being built here since the early 1900s, and so there's different offsets.—
-
Top with half of the Nutella, swirling it into the batter with a small offset spatula or a butter knife.—
Noun
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The two men were polar opposites, but Fox knew how to talk to him.—
-
Tonight’s penultimate episode of season two feels like an anti-climax — not just a letdown generally, but the diametric opposite of a climax.—
Adjective
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Researchers revealed that the high-voltage output facilitates the neutralization and collection of dust and moisture by generating negative ions.—
-
By the end of the year, the Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which measures views of the economy and its future, stood at a whopping negative 33, down nearly 20 points since spring.—
Adverb
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The show has been a huge hit for Netflix but will move across in less than two year’s time.—
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Such impacts can excavate craters tens of feet across, even from meteoroids weighing just a few pounds.—
Verb
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Barton gave the jury the impression of a man prepared to go into daily combat on numerous fronts, constantly fighting one battle after another, in service of his principles.—
-
Players fought, fought, fought, gave us every chance in the world.—
Noun
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The perfect balance for a sport that jostles between exquisite and excruciating.—
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Peterson, who did indeed return to the court, was hacked on an off-balance 3 with one second to play.—
Adjective
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Skepticism came easily to Trump, who had long been hostile to mainstream foreign policy.—
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The helicopter the pilot was flying — a heavy, twin-rotor MH-47 Chinook — was struck by hostile fire during the operation.—
Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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