counterstrike
Hit back hard
A counterstrike is an attack launched in response to an enemy's attack—a retaliatory blow rather than an initiating one: The army mounted a counterstrike at dawn.
The term applies to military operations, competitive gaming, and figurative contexts like business or politics: The company's counterstrike was a hostile takeover bid of its own.
Punitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- counterblowRetaliatory strike
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
backlash · countermeasure · reciprocation · tit-for-tat · counterpunch · reaction · response · comeback
Violent offensive act
- flankingAt the sides of
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- raidSudden armed incursion
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
infiltration · encirclement · sabotage · guerrilla · maneuver · skirmish · engagement · reconnaissance
Degree of correctness
- aimPurpose or direction
- timingArt of choosing moments
- sniperConcealed precision shooter
- marksmanPrecision shooter
headshot · target · calibration · zeroing · sharpshooter · scoped · ballistics · sight
reprisal
Punitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- counterblowRetaliatory strike
vengeance · backlash · countermeasure · reciprocation · tit-for-tat · counterpunch · reaction · response · comeback · requital
assault
Violent offensive act
siege · infiltration · encirclement · sabotage · guerrilla · maneuver · skirmish · engagement · reconnaissance · extraction
accuracy
Degree of correctness
marksman · headshot · target · calibration · zeroing · sharpshooter · scoped · ballistics · sight · steady
fortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
- strongholdFortified place of defense
bastion · rampart · garrison · entrenchment · blockade · bulwark · citadel · redoubt · parapet · palisade
- counteractionscountermeasure, countermove, counterblow, counterpunch, counterforce
- tacticsmaneuver, gambit, ambush, flanking, counterpunch
- countercountertop, counterbalance, counterpart, countermeasure, counteroffer
- nuclear waratomic bomb, nuclear holocaust, nuclear arsenal, hydrogen bomb, ICBM
- counterattackscounterblow, counterpunch, counteroffensive, countercharge, riposte
- strikeswalkout, work stoppage, picket line, picket, picketing
counterstrikefirst strike
Initiating combat unprovoked
preemptive strike · unprovoked attack · surprise attack · aggression · offensive
counterstrikeforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
nonresistance · pacifism · surrender · capitulation · forbearance