Meaning & use
counter
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To answer an action, claim or threat by doing or saying something that works against it.
Grammar: Takes an object, or stands alone followed by with or by: counter the threat; counter with an offer.
Patterns
- counter something
- counter something with something
- counter that ...
The company countered the rumors with a public statement.
She countered that the plan was too expensive.
The team countered by changing their defense.
nouncountable
A long flat surface in a shop, bank or kitchen where goods are served or food is prepared.
Grammar: In American English a kitchen counter is the work surface; British English says worktop.
Patterns
- behind the counter
- on the counter
She paid for the bread at the counter.
He left his keys on the kitchen counter.
The clerk behind the counter checked my passport.
nouncountableBritish
A small piece used in a board game to mark a player's position.
Grammar: Mostly British English; Americans may say piece or token.
Patterns
- move a counter
Each player moved a counter along the board.
The child lost a blue counter under the sofa.
Place your counter on the start square.
adverbnot comparableformal
In the opposite direction or against something, usually followed by to.
Grammar: Used in the pattern run counter to: it goes against.
Patterns
- run counter to something
- go counter to something
The results ran counter to our expectations.
His actions went counter to everything he had promised.
Such a rule runs counter to common sense.
Word forms
| third person singular | counters |
|---|---|
| past tense | countered |
| past participle | countered |
| -ing form | countering |
| plural | counters |
Common combinations
- counter an argument
- He countered the argument with solid statistics.
- counter a threat
- The government moved quickly to counter the threat.
- kitchen counter
- Wipe the kitchen counter before dinner.
- over the counter
- You can buy this medicine over the counter.
- counter with an offer
- The seller countered with a lower price.
Synonyms and how they differ
- oppose
- Oppose means to be against something, whereas counter means to actively answer it with a reply or action.
- rebut
- Rebut applies only to arguments and claims, while counter also covers actions, attacks and threats.
- retaliate
- Retaliate means to hit back to get revenge, whereas counter is more about neutralizing or answering.
- parry
- Parry suggests a quick deflection of a blow or question, while counter can be a longer, planned response.
Opposites
Word family
- counterargument noun
- an argument made against another argument
- counteract verb
- to reduce or cancel an effect
- counterattack noun
- an attack made in response to an attack
- counterpart noun
- a person or thing with the same role in another place
Commonly confused: counter or encounter?
counter vs encounter
Encounter means to meet or come across someone or something, often unexpectedly, and does not mean to respond against it.
Practice
When the union demanded higher pay, the company ___ with a smaller increase and extra vacation days.
Choose one answer.
Countered with means answered with an opposing offer. Encountered means met, and does not fit the pattern with a reply.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “counter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.