counterattacks

noun

(chess) an attack that is intended to counter the opponent's advantage in another part of the board

an attack by a defending force against an attacking enemy force in order to regain lost ground or cut off enemy advance units etc.

verb

make a counterattack

Roots

contracounter- · Latin · against, opposite attaccare-attack · Italian · attack, attach

Synonyms & related words for counterattacks

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Words related to counterattacks

Explore words related to counterattacks — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include counterattacker, counterplay, counterstrike, countermove, counteroffensive, counterassault, counterattacked, attack. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does counterattacks come from?

The word counterattacks breaks down into 2 roots of Latin and Italian origin: counter-, from Latin contra (“against, opposite”); and -attack, from Italian attaccare (“attack, attach”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.