counterblow
Hit back hard
A counterblow is a blow struck in return—a retaliatory hit following an attack.
The term appears in both physical combat and figurative contexts: The boxer absorbed the punch and delivered a swift counterblow.
In broader use, any retaliatory action or response to aggression: The company's lawsuit was a counterblow to the hostile takeover attempt.
Swift clever reply
- parryDefensive blade deflection
- thrustForceful forward motion
- lungeSudden forward movement
- feintDeceptive mock attack
epee · sabre · foil · bout · touche · duelist · fencer · blade
Punitive action in return
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
backlash · retaliation · comeuppance · requital · tit-for-tat · settling · score · nemesis
Retaliatory boxing blow
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- punchStrike with fist
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- jabQuick, straight blow
uppercut · hook · cross · knockout · flurry · feint · clinch · grapple
Responding strategic action
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
- counteractionNeutralizing opposing effort
- reactionResponse to stimulus
- rejoinderReply to a reply
retort · comeback · rebuttal · repulse · resistance · defiance · answer · reply
riposte
Swift clever reply
feint · epee · sabre · foil · bout · touche · duelist · fencer · blade · attack
reprisal
Punitive action in return
retribution · backlash · retaliation · comeuppance · requital · tit-for-tat · settling · score · nemesis · avenge
counterpunch
Retaliatory boxing blow
- counterstrikeRetaliatory military action
- punchStrike with fist
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
jab · uppercut · hook · cross · knockout · flurry · feint · clinch · grapple · takedown
countermove
Responding strategic action
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
- counteractionNeutralizing opposing effort
- reactionResponse to stimulus
rejoinder · retort · comeback · rebuttal · repulse · resistance · defiance · answer · reply
parry
Defensive blade deflection
- backlashbacklash, outcry, outrage, pushback, fallout
- counteractionscountermeasure, countermove, counterstrike, counterpunch, counterforce
- countercountertop, counterbalance, counterpart, countermeasure, counteroffer
- counterattackscounterstrike, counterpunch, counteroffensive, countercharge, riposte
- retributionretribution, revenge, payback, vengeance, retaliation
counterblowfirst strike
Initiating combat unprovoked
preemptive strike · aggression · offensive · provocation · instigation
counterblowforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
pardon · nonresistance · forbearance · mercy · sympathy
blow, counter, blowout, counteract, counterattack, blowback, counterthrusts