counter-offensive
Striking back strategically
A counter-offensive is a large-scale military attack launched by forces that have been on the defensive.
Rather than simply repelling an enemy advance, a counter-offensive aims to recapture lost territory or seize the initiative: Ukraine's counter-offensive sought to retake occupied regions.
The term applies to any aggressive response after a period of defense.
Violent offensive act
- advanceMove or progress forward
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
- incursionHostile territorial penetration
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
maneuver · flanking · encirclement · sortie · engagement · artillery · infantry · reinforcements
Shift in opposite direction
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
- reclamationRecovery of something lost
- regainingRecovering something lost
recapture · retaking · reconquest · liberation · restoration · revival · rebound · upturn
Retaliatory military action
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- counterblowRetaliatory strike
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
- responseAnswer to stimulus
retaliation · payback · backlash · pushback · reaction · retribution · reciprocity · tit-for-tat
Methods to achieve goals
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- logisticsCoordination of complex activities
- feintDeceptive mock attack
deception · guerrilla · attrition · fortification · envelopment · interdiction · mobility · airlift
assault
Violent offensive act
- advanceMove or progress forward
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
- incursionHostile territorial penetration
campaign · maneuver · flanking · encirclement · sortie · engagement · artillery · infantry · reinforcements · siege
turnaround
Shift in opposite direction
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- resurgenceReturn after dormancy
- reclamationRecovery of something lost
regaining · recapture · retaking · reconquest · liberation · restoration · revival · rebound · upturn · comeback
counterstrike
Retaliatory military action
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- counterblowRetaliatory strike
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
response · retaliation · payback · backlash · pushback · reaction · retribution · reciprocity · tit-for-tat · vengeance
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- logisticsCoordination of complex activities
feint · deception · guerrilla · attrition · fortification · envelopment · interdiction · mobility · airlift · coordination
counter-offensivedefensive
Protective or easily threatened
defense · retreat · withdrawal · holding action · defensive stance
counter-offensivedefensive stance
passive defense · entrenchment · fortification · capitulation · surrender
counter-offensiveoffensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
first strike · invasion · aggression · unprovoked attack · preemptive strike