counteroffensive

noun

coun·​ter·​of·​fen·​sive ˈkau̇n-tər-ə-ˌfen(t)-siv How to pronounce counteroffensive (audio)
: a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for counteroffensive 

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counteroffensive was in 1909

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 How to pronounce counteroffensive (audio)
: a large-scale counterattack
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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