counterargument
Response to criticism
A counterargument is a reason or point offered in opposition to another argument.
In debate or persuasive writing, presenting counterarguments—and then refuting them—strengthens one's position: She anticipated the counterargument that costs would be too high.
The word implies engagement with opposing views rather than ignoring them.
Formal response disputing claims
- refutationDisproving a statement
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
opposition · dissent · challenge · dispute · contention · contradiction · antithesis · demurral
Convincing through reasoning
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- ethosCollective moral character
pathos · logos · credibility · eloquence · articulation · rationale · validity · coherence
Deficiency in force
- flawImperfection in something
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- criticismJudgment of faults
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
analysis · evaluation · examination · questioning · assessment · deconstruction · inconsistency · fallacy
rebuttal
Formal response disputing claims
- refutationDisproving a statement
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
counterclaim · opposition · dissent · challenge · dispute · contention · contradiction · antithesis · demurral · rejoinder
persuasion
Convincing through reasoning
ethos · pathos · logos · credibility · eloquence · articulation · rationale · validity · coherence · premise
weakness
Deficiency in force
scrutiny · analysis · evaluation · examination · questioning · assessment · deconstruction · inconsistency · fallacy · loophole
- argumentsdisagreement, bickering, dispute, claim, contention
- debatesmoderator, podium, lectern, rebuttal, rebuttals
- utterancesutterance, statements, exclamation, assertion, questions
- counterkitchen counter, countertop, checkout counter, sales counter, counterbalance
- objectionsobjection, complaint, protest, refutation, demur
- critical thinkingcritical thinking, reasoning, logic puzzles, analysis, inference
counterargumentargument
Reasoned case or dispute
thesis · proposition · claim · assertion · premise
counterargumentagreement
Shared position between parties
support · endorsement · affirmation · corroboration · concurrence