counterreaction
Pushback against action
A counterreaction is a reaction that opposes or responds to a previous reaction.
The term appears in scientific contexts—a chemical counterreaction, a physiological counterreaction to medication—and in social or political discourse: The progressive reforms triggered a conservative counterreaction.
It emphasizes the reactive, oppositional nature of the response.
Quick, cutting reply
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
counterstatement · riposte · rejoinder · reply · answer · comeback · reciprocation · counter
Punitive response to injury
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
- backlashStrong negative reaction
uproar · outcry · furor · indignation · boycott · protest · revolt · resistance
Backward force from discharge
- snapbackSudden return to position
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- bouncebackRecovery from adversity
- ricochetAngled deflection off surface
boomerang · springback · recovery · reversal · correction · overcorrection · whiplash · reflexive
retort
Quick, cutting reply
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
counterclaim · counterstatement · riposte · rejoinder · reply · answer · comeback · reciprocation · counter · counterpoint
retaliation
Punitive response to injury
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
backlash · uproar · outcry · furor · indignation · boycott · protest · revolt · resistance · condemnation
recoil
Backward force from discharge
- snapbackSudden return to position
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- bouncebackRecovery from adversity
ricochet · boomerang · springback · recovery · reversal · correction · overcorrection · whiplash · reflexive · automatic
counterreactionfirst move
provocation · catalyst · instigation · stimulus · trigger
counterreactionreinforcement
Adding support or encouragement
support · amplification · sympathetic response · reaction · concurrence
react, reaction, reactionary, reactive, reactivity, reactor, overreaction, unreactive, underreaction