counter attack
Strike back maneuver
A counter attack is a retaliatory offensive launched in response to an enemy's attack.
The term is primarily military—troops absorb an assault, then strike back while the attacker is extended or vulnerable.
It extends to sports, where a team transitions quickly from defense to offense: They scored on the counter attack.
Also spelled counterattack.
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- flankingAt the sides of
- assaultViolent offensive act
- sortieArmed raid outward
- raidSudden armed incursion
incursion · foray · thrust · advance · pincer movement · ambush · encirclement · tactical retreat
Retaliatory military action
- counterpunchRetaliatory boxing blow
- counterblowRetaliatory strike
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- responseAnswer to stimulus
revenge · retribution · payback · vengeance · comeback · reaction · reciprocity · tit-for-tat
Rapid offensive push
- transitionChange from one state
- breakawaySudden separation from group
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- turnoverSales volume or attrition
blitz · rush · charge · sprint · quick break · outlet pass · pressing · offensive rebound
Surprise strike from concealment
- unexpected assaultSudden unprovoked violence
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
sucker punch · preemptive · bolt from the blue · lightning strike · guerrilla tactics · hit-and-run
Shift in opposite direction
- comebackRecovery after decline
- momentum shiftSudden change in advantage
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- reboundReturn after deflection
overturn · rally · fightback · swing · upset · reversal of fortune · turning point · second wind
offensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
raid · incursion · foray · thrust · advance · pincer movement · ambush · encirclement · tactical retreat · feint
counterstrike
Retaliatory military action
- counterpunchRetaliatory boxing blow
- counterblowRetaliatory strike
- reprisalPunitive action in return
response · revenge · retribution · payback · vengeance · comeback · reaction · reciprocity · tit-for-tat · backlash
fastbreak
Rapid offensive push
- transitionChange from one state
- breakawaySudden separation from group
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
turnover · blitz · rush · charge · sprint · quick break · outlet pass · pressing · offensive rebound
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- unexpected assaultSudden unprovoked violence
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
caught off guard · sucker punch · preemptive · bolt from the blue · lightning strike · guerrilla tactics · hit-and-run
turnaround
Shift in opposite direction
- comebackRecovery after decline
- momentum shiftSudden change in advantage
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
rebound · overturn · rally · fightback · swing · upset · reversal of fortune · turning point · second wind · resurgence
- sports termssoccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf
- military tacticstactics, flanking, maneuver, ambush, battle formations
- strategy gameschess, strategy, checkers, go, Go
- formationsline, circle, triangle, ring, spiral
- combatbattle, fight, combat, unarmed combat, grappling
- rugby skillstackle, pass, ruck, maul, scrum
counter attackattack
Aggressive act against another
first strike · offensive · aggression · preemptive strike · unprovoked attack
counter attackdefense
Protection against harm
retreat · withdrawal · surrender · capitulation · defensive position
counterattack, counterattacks, counterattacked, counterattacking