countercharge: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Legal, Official, Literary
Quick answer
What does “countercharge” mean?
A charge or accusation made in response to one made against oneself.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A charge or accusation made in response to one made against oneself; a retaliatory accusation.
A formal or official accusation made by a defendant against the plaintiff or prosecutor in a legal context, such as in court-martial proceedings. In broader usage, it can refer to any sharp, answering criticism or blame.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or legal application. Usage is equally formal and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a defensive, retaliatory, and often serious legal or quasi-legal move. Suggests escalation of conflict.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both dialects, used almost exclusively in formal, legal, journalistic, or academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “countercharge” in a Sentence
to countercharge (sb) with (sth)to make/lodge/file a countercharge (against sb)the countercharge that... (noun clause)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “countercharge” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defence solicitor advised his client to countercharge the accuser with defamation.
- He was so incensed by the allegations that he immediately countercharged.
American English
- The defendant's attorney moved to countercharge the plaintiff with fraud.
- In the heated debate, each side countercharged the other with dishonesty.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in formal dispute resolution or litigation documents between companies.
Academic
Used in political science, law, and history texts discussing conflicts, debates, or legal proceedings.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in news reports about political or legal scandals.
Technical
Specific term in military justice (court-martial) and some legal systems for a formal charge by the defence against the accuser.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “countercharge”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “countercharge”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “countercharge”
- Using it as a synonym for any simple 'response' or 'objection.'
- Misspelling as 'counter-charge' (though hyphenated form is sometimes accepted).
- Incorrect verb pattern: 'He countercharged her' (needs object/complement: 'He countercharged her with fraud.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word used primarily in legal, official, and journalistic contexts.
A countercharge is a retaliatory *accusation* of wrongdoing. A counterclaim is a retaliatory *legal demand* (lawsuit) for damages or other relief.
Yes, but it is less common than the noun. As a verb, it is transitive and often used with 'with': 'He countercharged them with perjury.'
Modern dictionaries (e.g., Oxford, Merriam-Webster) list it as one solid word: 'countercharge.' The hyphenated form is becoming archaic.
A charge or accusation made in response to one made against oneself.
Countercharge is usually formal, legal, official, literary in register.
Countercharge: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.təˌtʃɑːdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚˌtʃɑːrdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tit for tat (in a less formal/legal sense)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a tennis match: one player serves a CHARGE, the other COUNTERS it with a COUNTERCHARGE.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (launching/returning fire), CONFLICT IS A TENNIS MATCH (a return shot).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'countercharge' MOST appropriately used?