counterblow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Low)Formal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “counterblow” mean?
A blow given in return for one received.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A blow given in return for one received; a retaliatory strike or attack.
A decisive response or action taken to oppose or counter an initial aggressive move, often used in both physical and metaphorical contexts (e.g., military, sports, debate, business).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. The word is equally rare and formal in both variants.
Connotations
Slightly more literary/archaic in British English; slightly more likely in military/strategic contexts in American English.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely found in historical texts, political commentary, or strategic analysis than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “counterblow” in a Sentence
[Subject] delivered/struck a counterblow (against/to [Target])The [Action] was met with a counterblowVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically for a competitive response to a rival's market move. 'The company's aggressive pricing strategy was a direct counterblow to the new market entrant.'
Academic
Found in history, political science, and military strategy texts. 'The treatise analysed the diplomatic counterblows following the annexation.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in fencing, boxing, and martial arts commentary to describe a specific retaliatory strike.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “counterblow”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “counterblow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “counterblow”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They will counterblow'). The verb is 'to counter' or 'to retaliate'.
- Using in informal contexts where 'response' or 'comeback' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'counter blow' (two words); standard is one word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. Learners are more likely to encounter and should more frequently use synonyms like 'counterattack' or 'retaliation'.
No. 'Counterblow' is exclusively a noun. The related verb forms are 'to counter', 'to counterattack', or 'to retaliate'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Counterblow' can feel slightly more literary or singular, while 'counterattack' is more standard and can refer to a sustained series of actions. 'Counterblow' often implies a single, decisive retaliatory act.
No. While its origin is physical, it is commonly used metaphorically in contexts like politics, debate, business, and sports to mean any strong retaliatory action.
A blow given in return for one received.
Counterblow is usually formal, literary in register.
Counterblow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.tə.bləʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚ.bloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Strike a counterblow”
- “A blow for a blow”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOXING MATCH: One boxer throws a punch (a blow), the other immediately throws one BACK. COUNTER means 'against' or 'in return', so COUNTERBLOW is the blow you throw back.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR / COMPETITION IS COMBAT. The initial criticism/attack is a 'blow'; the response is a 'counterblow'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'counterblow' LEAST likely to be used?