counter-offensive

The general ordered a counter-offensive to retake the strategic hill.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A military or strategic response: A "counter-offensive" is an attack made in response to an enemy's offensive, typically launched to regain lost ground or initiative. It involves a large-scale, organized operation to reverse the momentum of an opposing force.
   • Extended use: In non-military contexts, a "counter-offensive" can refer to any vigorous action taken to oppose or neutralize a challenge or attack, such as in business, politics, or sports.

Usage Examples

• (A military operation to regain control.)
• (A strategic business response to a rival's move.)
• (A verbal or strategic reply in a political context.)

Advanced Usage

• "to mount a counter-offensive": To organize and begin a counter-offensive.
  • The general ordered his troops to mount a counter-offensive at dawn. (To initiate a planned response attack.)
• "a strategic counter-offensive": A counter-offensive designed with careful planning to achieve specific objectives.
  • The strategic counter-offensive focused on cutting the enemy's supply lines. (A well-planned, targeted response.)

Variants and Related Words

• Counter-offensive (n): The exact target word, often hyphenated but sometimes written as "counteroffensive" (without hyphen) in modern usage.
  • The counteroffensive was successful in pushing back the invaders. (The same meaning, alternative spelling.)
• Counterattack (n): A smaller-scale or immediate response to an attack, often less coordinated than a counter-offensive.
  • The troops launched a quick counterattack after the ambush. (A direct, often smaller, retaliatory action.)
• Offensive (adj/n): The original attack or initiative that a counter-offensive responds to.
  • The enemy's offensive was stopped by our counter-offensive. (The initial aggressive action.)

Synonyms

• Retaliation: The action of returning an attack or injury.
  • The retaliation was swift and decisive. (A synonym with a focus on revenge or response.)
• Rebuttal: A refutation or contradiction, especially in argument (non-military context).
  • Her rebuttal to the criticism was a counter-offensive of facts and evidence. (A verbal or intellectual response.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Strike back: To retaliate or launch a counter-offensive.
  • We need to strike back before they consolidate their gains. (To initiate a counter-offensive.)
• Fight back: To resist or respond to an attack.
  • The villagers fought back with a counter-offensive of their own. (To engage in a defensive or retaliatory action.)

Related Idioms

• Turn the tables: To reverse the situation, especially by gaining an advantage over an opponent.
  • The counter-offensive turned the tables on the invading army. (Changed the balance of power.)
• Go on the offensive: To begin an attack, often after a counter-offensive has been prepared.
  • After the counter-offensive, the general decided to go on the offensive. (Shift from defensive to aggressive action.)