Skip to main content
counter

counter

4 5.1
Done to oppose something
  • adjective
  • /ˈkaʊntər/
translation icon : contrario
  • We have an ethical responsibility that's often counter to business interests," Berlin says.

Now, this is counter to what most writers do.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Obama also has investments in things that are counter to his political positions.

    Blog text (19)
  • Now, this is counter to what most writers do.

  • Some of them are doing things that are absolutely counter to science.

    Blog text (22)
  • Everything that I have read today about the Republicans seems counter to what they believe.

    Blog text (1)
  • Well, what we've got is a piece that goes completely counter to that idea.

  • Obviously, these suggestions are counter to the trends in teacher attendance.

    Academic text (1997)
  • There were several cases where student coaches' attitudes were counter to recommendations in the literature.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Unfortunately, it runs completely counter to any sort of rational, pluralistic approach to governance.

    Blog text (19)
  • My particular work has uncovered aspects of religiosity that runs counter to standard theories of religion.

  • The proposal was counter to the committee's recommendations, leading to a heated debate.

Synonyms

antagonistic
vscounter
16 6.8

Acting in a hostile way toward someone or something

is used before a noun to mean opposition or response
opposing
vscounter
15 3.4

Being against another person or group

is used before a noun to mean opposition or response
oppositional
vscounter
5 6.6

Showing disagreement or resistance to someone with power

is used before a noun to mean opposition or response
3 8.9

Against a large change in government and trying to stop it

is used before a noun to mean opposition or response
counteractive
vscounter
1 7.0

Acting against something to reduce its effect

is used before a noun to mean opposition or response
opposed
vscounter
1 3.5

Against something or someone in opinion and action

is used before a noun to mean opposition or response
contrarious
vscounter
  • Literature
9.9

Often disagreeing with others on purpose to be difficult

is used before a noun to mean opposition or response

Antonyms

348 2.8

Willing to give help or comfort when someone needs it

119 3.5

Willing to work with other people to reach a shared goal

Idioms

To sell things secretly when this is not allowed

Compounds

Medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

over the counter
  • Specialized
11 2.7

Medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

bean counter
  • Offensive
9 7.4

A person who pays too much attention to small money details and misses the big picture

Geiger counter
  • Specialized
7 4.8

A device that detects and measures invisible radiation from radioactive materials

A counter in a store where people pay for their items

A medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

over-the-counter
  • Specialized
4 6.0

Stocks or bonds not listed on a stock market that dealers buy and sell

1 1.3

A counter in a store where people sell meat like steak or chicken

A medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

1 6.5

A share not listed on a stock exchange that is bought and sold through dealers

1 2.8

A person who adds up votes to find the result in an election or meeting

A story that challenges the official version of events

A movement in the Catholic Church in the 1500s to strengthen Catholic belief and practice after the Protestant Reformation

1 6.6

A market where people buy and sell shares directly by phone or computer

Information that goes against a claim

1 9.9

A private financial contract made between two parties, not traded on a public exchange

scintillation counter
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A device that detects radiation using flashes of light

boron counter tube
  • Specialized
8.1

A tube filled with boron that detects neutrons in experiments

counter check
  • Specialized
6.5

A blank check the bank gives you to get money when your personal checks are not available

counter conditioning
  • Specialized
7.7

A therapy method that teaches a calm response instead of fear to something

counter tube
  • Specialized
9.1

A device that detects radiation by counting particles in a tube filled with gas

Describing an action or message that challenges the official story

Opposing reforms to bring back older rules

An action that opposes and undoes earlier changes

A person who tries to bring back the old government after a revolution

counter-sabotage
  • Specialized
8.2

Actions to find and stop people who damage important equipment

crystal counter
  • Archaic
9.9

A device that detects radiation when particles hit a crystal

Actions that stop enemy jamming of radios and radar

Geiger-Muller counter
  • Specialized
6.9

A device with a gas-filled tube that detects and measures radiation

heel counter
  • Specialized
7.2

A piece of stiff material at the back of a shoe that supports the heel

A part of a store where staff sell small sewing items like buttons and thread

proportional counter
  • Specialized
7.2

A device that detects and measures radiation by counting electric charges created inside a tube

8.2

A tube that detects radiation and gives an electrical signal showing how strong the radiation is

pulse counter
  • Specialized
4.2

A device that counts small electric signals from machines

rivet counter
  • Jargon
8.9

A person who cares too much about small unimportant details in a hobby or project

6.7

An investment like a stock or bond traded directly through dealers, not on a stock market

A small counter that sells light food and drinks

spark counter
  • Specialized
7.8

A device that makes tiny sparks when particles from radiation pass through it

Sold or done secretly to avoid the law

vote counter
  • Specialized
3.4

A machine or program that adds up votes by itself in an election

Surface Forms

counter positive

Etymology

The word counter used before a noun comes from the old root contra meaning 'against'. You see it in words like counterattack, and a counter action or measure is something done to oppose or resist another action.