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Glite Dictionary
⚔️ A return attack ⚔️ To attack back 💬 A quick reply
counterthrust

counterthrust

8.1
A quick attack made in response to an opponent's move, often in fencing
  • noun
  • /ˈkaʊntərˌθrʌst/
  • Specialized
translation icon : contragolpe
  • In fencing, a skilled competitor can deliver a quick counterthrust to regain control during a match.
  • thrust and counterthrust

Examples

  • The army launched a sudden counterthrust to push back the advancing enemy troops.

  • However, it is a forceful counterthrust to those who would claim that death threats against Obama are somehow a new phenomenon, and by extension, that Obama's presumed political enemies have a monopoly on threats of violence.

    Blog text (1)

  • A strategic counterthrust in the debate caught the opponents off guard and shifted the momentum in her favor.

Synonyms

counterpunch
vscounterthrust
3 6.5

A punch thrown back at an opponent after they attack

is a quick reply attack that can use various weapons or tactics
countermove
vscounterthrust
2 6.7

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

is an immediate attacking response aimed at striking rather than broader maneuvers
riposte
vscounterthrust
  • Specialized
1 9.4

A quick counterattack after blocking an opponent's lunge

is a quick responsive attack not only used immediately after a parry
counterblow
vscounterthrust
7.9

A hit given back after an attack

is a rapid counterattack focused on quick timing rather than any retaliation
countershot
vscounterthrust
8.5

A shot made in reply to another person's shot

is a swift reply attack that also covers close combat strikes

How Forceful

counteroffensive
  • Specialized
4 8.8
counterthrust
  • Specialized
8.1
counterpunch
3 6.5

Surface Forms

counterthrust singular
counterthrusts plural

Morphology

counterthrust = thrust (transparent) = counter + thrust

Direct combination of the productive prefix 'counter' (against/response) and 'thrust' gives the clear meaning 'a thrust made in response to an opponent'.

Etymology

Counterthrust comes from two simple parts: counter- meaning 'against' or 'in reply' and thrust meaning 'a strong push'. So a counterthrust is a quick attack that pushes back against an opponent's move.