COUNTER Synonyms: 187 Similar and Opposite Words

counter 1 of 4

verb

ˈkau̇n-tər

Definition of counter

as in to oppose

to strive to reduce or eliminate efforts to counter poverty in every sector of our country

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counter

2 of 4

noun

ˈkau̇n-tər

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

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

counter

3 of 4

adjective

ˈkau̇n-tər

as in negative

opposed to one's interests was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counter

4 of 4

adverb

as in across

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Dissimilar Words

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 counter

Verb

In writing an op-ed for Deadline on Monday, the Democratic attorney general is countering a New York Times guest essay penned by Paramount CEO David Ellison last week. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 Jeffco counters that changing policies would place the school district in violation of Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act, which protects transgender students’ access to facilities based on their gender identities. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

Marcy had her hair tied up with a bow made from nylon cord and was bent over a fold-up kitchen counter rearranging wet garbage. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 Unlike its older sibling, the brand-new location of Miami Slice is more than a slice counter. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Adjective

In addition to being under-equipped in terms of intelligence and logistics, Nigeria’s army has had a problem with poor remuneration that impedes counter-terrorism campaigns. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Advertisement As a result, some of these allies and partners began building a bypass network to address the threat, working directly with Ukraine, for example, to learn from that country’s innovations in counter-drone technology. — Ariane Tabatabai, Time, 4 Aug. 2026

Adverb

Critics counter that ranked choice helps candidates game the system, complicates the process, disenfranchises voters such as older adults and communities of color, and takes longer to count, which could fuel conspiracy theories. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 Administration statements might pledge to protect Americans from toxic pollution, the scientists say, but many of its actions run counter to those words. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for counter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for counter

Verb

Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
But that also will be two months after the Bucks play in Miami, when Giannis will be in opposing colors for the first time in his career.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of oppose

Noun

In a note last week, analysts at Bank of America said Home Depot's elevated exposure to the Pro customer — relative to Lowe's — is expected to provide an offset to a weaker DIY customer.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026
In warmer, staler weather, users can open the offset fly zipper and roll one or both pieces of door fabric open to increase airflow.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of offset

Noun

During an El Niño year, the opposite is the case in the Atlantic.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
That felt the opposite here,as Chandler and Pierre actually have great chemistry together — with Pierre delivering most of the thoughtful answers and Chandler playing the role of the lovable crank.

— Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of opposite

Adjective

Consequently, the plant could potentially become net-negative—removing more CO₂ from the atmosphere than the entire system emits during its life cycle.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
However, a whole-brain analysis did show distinct patterns of activity when the dogs saw faces showing the negative emotions.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of negative

Adverb

When trying to tease out chemical patterns on, say, solar system scales of about 200 au across, scientists need much bigger telescopes.

— Olivia Harper Wilkins, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
These guys might do much of the unglamorous work that goes unnoticed, breaking up play, playing short passes and sliding across into position to snuff out counter-attacks, but their role is highly valued in the transfer market.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of across

Verb

The 63-year-old was born in the central city of Esfahan and volunteered to fight in the Iraq-Iran war as a teenager, along with tens of thousands of young Iranians.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Pathogens are microorganisms known to cause numerous diseases in their host, meaning Bifidobacterium animalis may help fight certain diseases.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

Since their inception, these wines have tasted as if something were missing beyond just alcohol—aroma, flavor, body, and balance were absent as well.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
Growing dividends provide an ongoing reminder that the portfolio is not merely a balance on a statement, but ownership in businesses capable of sending cash back to their owners.

— Steve Booren, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of balance

Adjective

The high risk of – and challenges of addressing – oil spills and other safety incidents in the hostile Arctic climate are another dissuading factor, as are environmental costs of operating there.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The episode picks up when Bret and Robert have their first tense interaction — their vaguely hostile and lightly homoerotic back-and-forth continues to be the highlight of the show for me.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostile

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counter. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of counter

verb

noun

adjective

adverb

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