count·er
ˈkau̇n-tər 
1
: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games
2
: something of value in bargaining : asset
3
: a level surface (such as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted
jewelry counter
a lunch counter
count·er
ˈkau̇n-tər
plural counters
: a person or thing that counts something
… I would just tell them I am a very fast counter.—
Judy Blume
Judy Blume
especially
: a device or process for indicating a number or amount
a counter that records how many times a website is visited
As they entered the main door on Fifth Avenue, the guard clicked off two numbers on his people counter. —E. L. Konigsburg
E. L. Konigsburg
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
countered; countering
ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ
1
2
: to assert in answer
We countered that our warnings had been ignored.
: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
1
: in an opposite or wrong direction
2
: to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect
values that run counter to those of society
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
2
: the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang
3
a
: the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing)
also
: a blow thus given in boxing
b
: an agency or force that offsets : check
4
: a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel
5
: an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes
6
: a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play
coun·ter
ˈkau̇n-tər
1
: marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect
2
: given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy
3
: situated or lying opposite
the counter side
4
: recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding
counter orders from the colonel
1
a
: contrary : opposite
counterclockwise
countermarch
b
: opposing : retaliatory
counterforce
counteroffensive
2
: complementary : corresponding
counterweight
counterpart
3
: duplicate : substitute
counterfoil
Synonyms
Verb
Noun (3)
- balance
- canceler
- canceller
- corrective
- counteraction
- counterbalance
- counterforce
- counterpoise
- counterweight
- equipoise
- neutralizer
- offset
Adjective
Examples of counter in a Sentence
Verb
When they blamed him for the collapse of the bridge, he countered that his warnings about the bridge had been ignored.
“I could say the same thing about you,” she countered.
After she made her point, he could not counter with anything.
Noun (3)
strong moral guidance at home is the best counter to the pernicious allure of popular culture
her version of the domestic dispute was almost the exact counter of what actually happened
Adjective
was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024
But in the evening, counter service makes way for the table side service of a classic steakhouse.
—Zachery Eanes, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Between the lines: Partisan poll watchers have been part of U.S. elections since at least the 19th century to counter voter fraud and violence, which were rampant at the time, per PBS' Retro Report.
—April Rubin, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
In a fragmented Web3 environment, Key Opinion Leaders play an outsized role, even if relying on them may seem counter to Web3's ethos.
—Azeem Khan, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
And earlier this year, the U.S. pledged some $136 million to Moldova, with its roughly 3 million-person population, to reduce its dependency on Russian energy and counter Russian disinformation.
—Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counter 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Anduril inked a nearly $1 billion contract in 2022 with U.S. Special Operations Command for counter drones and, earlier this year, a $250 million Department of Defense contract for one of its interceptor systems.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024
But in the evening, counter service makes way for the table side service of a classic steakhouse.
—Zachery Eanes, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
The act was designed to counter the problems of the 1876 election, when some states submitted competing slates; that election required a compromise to settle on a winner, and the cost was undoing many of the Reconstruction Acts.
—Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Between the lines: Partisan poll watchers have been part of U.S. elections since at least the 19th century to counter voter fraud and violence, which were rampant at the time, per PBS' Retro Report.
—April Rubin, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Adverb
And that, in turn, would run directly counter to Trump’s goal of maintaining lower interest rates as part of a policy of accelerating economic growth.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
In a fragmented Web3 environment, Key Opinion Leaders play an outsized role, even if relying on them may seem counter to Web3's ethos.
—Azeem Khan, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
Adjective
But a shared sense of humor creates a powerful bond that lets couples reconnect with playfulness, counter stress and find levity in the midst of life’s complexities.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
And earlier this year, the U.S. pledged some $136 million to Moldova, with its roughly 3 million-person population, to reduce its dependency on Russian energy and counter Russian disinformation.
—Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counter
Dictionary Entries Near counter
Cite this Entry
“Counter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counter. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counter
1 of 7 noun
count·er
ˈkau̇nt-ər
1
: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in counting or in games
2
: a level surface (as a table) over which business is done or food is served or on which goods are displayed
counter
2 of 7 noun
count·er
: one that counts
especially
: a device for indicating a number or amount
counter
3 of 7 verb
coun·ter
ˈkau̇nt-ər
countered; countering
ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ
ˈkau̇n-triŋ
1
: to act in opposition to : oppose
countering the claim for damages
2
: to give a blow in return
counter with a left hook
counter
4 of 7 adverb
coun·ter
: in another or opposite direction
acting counter to advice
counter
5 of 7 noun
coun·ter
1
: the act of giving a return blow
2
: the blow given
counter
6 of 7 adjective
coun·ter
1
: moving in an opposite direction
the ship slowed by counter tides
2
: designed to oppose
a counter opinion
counter-
7 of 7 prefix
coun·ter-
1
a
: contrary : opposite
counterclockwise
b
: opposing : retaliatory
counteroffensive
2
: like : matching
counterpart
Etymology
Noun
Middle English countour "something used in counting," from early French countour (same meaning), from Latin computatorium "a place for counting or keeping accounts," from earlier computare "to count, compute" — related to count entry 1, compute
Verb
Middle English countren "to oppose," from early French contre "against" — related to contra-, counter-
Prefix
derived from Latin contra "against, opposite" — related to contra-
Medical Definition
counter
1 of 2 noun
count·er
ˈkau̇nt-ər
: a level surface over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted
a lunch counter
counter
2 of 2 noun
: one that counts
especially
: a device for indicating a number or amount see geiger counter
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