Skip to main content
countermove

countermove

2 6.7
An action to respond to an opponent and get back an advantage
  • noun
  • /ˈkaʊntərˌmuːv/
translation icon : contramovimiento
  • The story is told of an automaton constructed in such a way that it could play a winning game of chess, answering each move of an opponent with a countermove.
  • moves and countermoves

Examples

  • Larry Garcia, the church's attorney and a local Disciples of Christ minister, called it a countermove to thwart "an attempted theft."

    Blog text (27)
  • Whatever I say, whatever I do, whatever I think, she always has the perfect countermove.

  • Accordingly, the countermove consisted of checking the action of the market in respect to the factors of production, labor, and land.

    Academic text (2003)
  • This triggered several limited moves and countermoves that eventually erupted into open warfare by September 6.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Indeed, human society would have been annihilated but for protective countermoves that blunted the action of this self-destructive mechanism.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The general planned a strategic countermove to regain control of the battlefield after the enemy's attack.

  • In a game of chess, a clever countermove can turn the tide and surprise your opponent.

  • After the opponent made a bold strike, the team quickly devised a countermove to defend their position.

Synonyms

countermeasure
vscountermove
  • Specialized
33 6.5

Something that prevents or reduces harm

is a responsive move that often aims to regain position rather than only prevent harm
counterattack
vscountermove
28 4.3

An attack made in response to an enemy's attack to regain lost ground

is a responsive action that may be broader than a direct attack
counteroffensive
vscountermove
  • Specialized
4 8.8

A large military attack by a defending army to push back attackers

is any responsive move but not always a large coordinated attack
countermission
vscountermove
1 8.7

A mission carried out to stop another mission

is any responsive action, not exclusively a planned opposing mission
pushback
vscountermove
1 6.2

An attack that forces enemy soldiers to move back

is any reply move, not necessarily aimed only at forcing retreat
rollback
vscountermove
  • Jargon
1 7.5

Forcing enemy soldiers to withdraw to regain lost land

is a responsive action that may not always push the enemy back
counteraction
vscountermove
1 6.3

An action that reduces or stops the effect of something

is focused on regaining ground or hindering progress, not only neutralizing effects
rearguard action
vscountermove
1 7.9

A defensive action to protect an army that is retreating or delay an enemy

is a responsive move often intended to regain lost ground rather than just delay
counterplay
vscountermove
  • Jargon
1 8.2

Moves that attack to reduce an opponent's advantage

is used for real-world responses beyond game strategy
counterreaction
vscountermove
1 5.9

A response that cancels a previous action

is a deliberate responsive move aimed at regaining ground or stopping advance
counterthrust
vscountermove
  • Specialized
8.1

A quick attack made in response to an opponent's move, often in fencing

is a response that can be slower or more varied in form
counterblow
vscountermove
7.9

A hit given back after an attack

can include nonviolent or strategic replies, not only strikes
counterbombardment
vscountermove
  • Specialized
9.9

An attack using heavy guns to destroy the enemy's weapons

is a general responsive move, not limited to striking weapons
countermovement
vscountermove
6.2

A movement in the opposite direction to balance another movement

is a responsive act specifically meant to hinder an attack or regain ground
counterthreat
vscountermove
8.2

An action taken to respond to a threat, often to stop the attacker or protect people

is specifically a tactical reply often aiming to disrupt an attacking advance

How Forceful

counterattack
28 4.3
countermove
2 6.7
retaliation
112 5.2

Surface Forms

countermove singular
countermoves plural

Morphology

countermove = move (transparent) = counter + move

The meaning is directly derived from 'counter' (against/in response) + 'move' (an action), so learners can infer it denotes a responsive action.

Etymology

Countermove comes from counter meaning 'against' and move meaning 'an action or step'. So, a countermove is a step taken 'against' an opponent's action to stop them or to win back lost ground.