countercharge
Accusation in response
A countercharge is an accusation made in response to an accusation from someone else—if you accuse me of lying, I might countercharge that you're the real liar.
In military contexts, a countercharge is a charge made against an attacking force: The cavalry launched a countercharge against the enemy's flank.
Allegation made in response
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- refutationDisproving a statement
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- retortQuick, cutting reply
denial · counterargument · response · rebut · dispute · riposte · counterstatement · parry
Defendant's opposing lawsuit
- countersuitDefendant's lawsuit against plaintiff
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
defendant · litigation · prosecution · accusation · filing · pleadings · testimony · evidence
Punitive action in return
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
backlash · tit-for-tat · counterblow · counterpunch · countermove · reciprocation · recompense · response
Offensive response to aggression
- counteroffensiveRetaliatory military operation
- counterstrokeRetaliatory strike after attack
- assaultViolent offensive act
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
sortie · flank · cavalry · advance · engagement · skirmish · barrage · maneuver
counteraccusation
Allegation made in response
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- refutationDisproving a statement
- rejoinderReply to a reply
retort · denial · counterargument · response · rebut · dispute · riposte · counterstatement · parry · contradiction
counterclaim
Defendant's opposing lawsuit
- countersuitDefendant's lawsuit against plaintiff
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
plaintiff · defendant · litigation · prosecution · accusation · filing · pleadings · testimony · evidence · affidavit
reprisal
Punitive action in return
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
vengeance · backlash · tit-for-tat · counterblow · counterpunch · countermove · reciprocation · recompense · response
counterattack
Offensive response to aggression
- counteroffensiveRetaliatory military operation
- counterstrokeRetaliatory strike after attack
- assaultViolent offensive act
offensive · sortie · flank · cavalry · advance · engagement · skirmish · barrage · maneuver · raid
- accusationsaccusation, accuse, accuser, allegation, allege
- counterkitchen counter, countertop, checkout counter, sales counter, counterbalance
- counterattackscounterattack, counterblow, counterstrike, counterpunch, counteroffensive
- cavalry tacticscavalry charges, cavalry raids, flanking, flank attack, flanking maneuvers
counterchargeadmission
Entry or confession
confession · acceptance · acknowledgment · concession · mea culpa