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counteroffensive
noun
coun·ter·of·fen·sive
ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv
: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive
Synonyms
Examples of counteroffensive in a Sentence
They mounted a counteroffensive against the enemy.
the army launched a counteroffensive at dawn
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike in 2016, when Iranian ground forces and Russian air support succeeded in repelling rebel forces during the siege of Aleppo, neither patron could launch a rapid counteroffensive this time.
—
Nicole Grajewski, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
The efforts accelerated, Mr. Sullivan said, in the preparation for Ukraine’s second counteroffensive.
—
Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
After the summer counteroffensive faltered in the face of Russia's extensive use of drones, the U.S. ramped up support for Ukrainian drone manufacturers in September, 2023, strengthening ties between American tech companies and Ukrainian producers.
—
Katya Soldak, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
As Ukraine’s stunning counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson in the fall of 2022 got underway, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continued to call on Washington to provide Kyiv with longer-range missiles.
—
Michael Poznansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1909, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to counteroffensive
Dictionary Entries Near counteroffensive
Cite this Entry
“Counteroffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteroffensive. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
counteroffensive
noun
coun·ter·of·fen·sive
ˈkau̇nt-ə-rə-ˌfen(t)-siv
: a large-scale counterattack
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