counteract
verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈakt 
counteracted; counteracting; counteracts
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence
a drug used to counteract fatigue
Examples of counteract in a Sentence
The drug will counteract the poison.
this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
Recent Examples on the Web
But the impenetrable bureaucracy that had sprung up at USAGM has long counteracted their work.
—
The Editors, National Review, 20 Mar. 2025
Meditation helps counteract this by enhancing critical thinking skills, reducing emotional reactivity, and fostering a mindset of responsibility.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Do astronauts exercise in space? ISS crew members and must physically exercise about two hours every day to protect their muscles and bones that are counteracted by the absence of Earth's gravity.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
The implementation of these executive orders, which have been followed by many other executive orders aimed at reducing federal spending, will counteract progress toward better representation in the STEM field.
—Filomena Nunes, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counteract
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The Editors, National Review, 20 Mar. 2025
Meditation helps counteract this by enhancing critical thinking skills, reducing emotional reactivity, and fostering a mindset of responsibility.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Do astronauts exercise in space? ISS crew members and must physically exercise about two hours every day to protect their muscles and bones that are counteracted by the absence of Earth's gravity.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
The implementation of these executive orders, which have been followed by many other executive orders aimed at reducing federal spending, will counteract progress toward better representation in the STEM field.
—Filomena Nunes, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteract. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counteract
verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to lessen the force, action, or influence of : offset
a drug that counteracts a poison
Medical Definition
counteract
transitive verb
coun·ter·act
ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by an opposite force
vitamin K counteracts the effects of warfarin
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