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counteraction

counteraction

1 6.3
An action that reduces or stops the effect of something
  • noun
  • /ˌkaʊntərˈækʃən/
translation icon : contrarresto
  • Russians are prone to believe that however peaceful and moderate their policy on Iraqi issues is going to be, they will still need to face American counteraction and hostility.
  • take counteraction

Examples

  • Over time, the response to American hegemony may escalate from resentment and dissent to opposition and collective counteraction.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Increasingly, they assert that "now that the United States is seeking to attack us by force of arms, we have no choice but to take strong counteraction against it."

    Academic text (2003)
  • Sooner or later, and probably sooner, Dagger would feel that he had to take some kind of counteraction.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I have been advised that there is a very real possibility that unless we take effective counteractions, there could be an epidemic of this dangerous disease next fall and winter here in the United States.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Ideally, such counteraction begins in early childhood education and is sustained over the K-16 experiences of Latinos and other nondominant majority schoolchildren.

    Academic text (2011)
  • After India's tests, the Clinton administration sought to nudge New Delhi in directions that would limit counteractions by China and Pakistan and, above all, prevent an Indo-Pakistani nuclear war.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Beijing felt compelled to align itself with all the other major states after September 11, both to preclude international opprobrium and to avoid offending the United States at a time when Americans were motivated and mobilized to take strong counteraction.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The government has implemented strict regulations as a counteraction to pollution in the city.

  • To prevent the spread of the virus, the health department proposed various counteractions including vaccination campaigns.

  • Effective counteraction is necessary to address the negative impacts of climate change on local ecosystems.

Synonyms

prevention
vscounteraction
221 2.4

Stopping something harmful from happening

also covers reducing or neutralizing effects that have already begun
damage control
vscounteraction
42 3.4

Actions to limit the bad effects of a problem, for example to protect a reputation

is the broader act to reduce or prevent effects, not only post event actions
countermeasure
vscounteraction
  • Specialized
33 6.5

Something that prevents or reduces harm

is the general act of reducing, neutralizing, or preventing another effect
mitigation
vscounteraction
16 5.6

Action that reduces the harm or seriousness of something

focuses more broadly on reducing, neutralizing, or preventing effects, not only severity
countermove
vscounteraction
2 6.7

An action to respond to an opponent and get back an advantage

is any action to reduce or prevent effects, not limited to tactical responses
undoing
vscounteraction
1 4.2

An action that reverses the effect of a previous action

is about reducing or preventing effects generally, not only reversing past results
neutralization
vscounteraction
1 6.7

Cancelling the effect of something that was done earlier

is broader and also includes reducing or preventing effects before or after they occur
counterreaction
vscounteraction
1 5.9

A response that cancels a previous action

is any act to reduce or prevent effects, not only a reaction
counterwork
vscounteraction
7.7

Actions taken to oppose or stop something

is the single act aimed at reducing, neutralizing, or stopping an effect
forestalling
vscounteraction
8.3

Stopping something before it happens by acting early

is the general act to reduce, neutralize, or prevent effects, not only anticipatory steps
countermovement
vscounteraction
6.2

A movement in the opposite direction to balance another movement

is the general act of reducing or preventing effects beyond physical movements

Antonyms

aggravation
  • Specialized
3 5.4

An action that makes a problem or illness worse

2 8.6

A worsening of a problem, conflict, or health symptoms, for example more pain

How Effective

eradication
19 6.8
counteraction
1 6.3
countermeasure
  • Specialized
33 6.5
measure
  • Formal
823 3.8

Surface Forms

counteraction singular

Morphology

counteraction = action (transparent) = counter + action

Standard prefixation: 'counter-' (against) + 'action' yields an action intended to oppose or neutralize something.

Etymology

The word counteraction is made of counter ('against') and action ('doing something'). So a counteraction is something you do to work against another action, like a counterattack or a step to reduce or stop harm.