counterstrokes
Defensive offensive moves
Counterstrokes are retaliatory blows or attacks delivered in response to an opponent's strike.
The term appears in military, sporting, and figurative contexts: The general planned a series of counterstrokes against the advancing enemy.
In fencing or boxing, a counterstroke exploits an opening created by the opponent's attack.
Figuratively, any responsive action meant to oppose or neutralize: Her editorial was a counterstroke against the criticism.
Defensive blade deflection
- riposteSwift clever reply
- thrustForceful forward motion
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- lungeSudden forward movement
blade · foil · épée · saber · deflection · attack · defense · bout
Punitive response to injury
- responseAnswer to stimulus
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- reversalComplete change of direction
- defenseProtection against harm
opposition · resistance · pushback · reaction · reprisal · tactical · maneuver · offensive
Supine aquatic locomotion
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- breaststrokeArms circle, legs splay
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
pull · catch · rotation · drag · propulsion · lap · technique · bilateral
parry
Defensive blade deflection
lunge · blade · foil · épée · saber · deflection · attack · defense · bout · engagement
retaliation
Punitive response to injury
- responseAnswer to stimulus
- countermoveResponding strategic action
- reversalComplete change of direction
defense · opposition · resistance · pushback · reaction · reprisal · tactical · maneuver · offensive · comeback
backstroke
Supine aquatic locomotion
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- breaststrokeArms circle, legs splay
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
recovery · pull · catch · rotation · drag · propulsion · lap · technique · bilateral · kick
brushwork
Painter's stroke method
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- crosshatchingIntersecting parallel lines for tone
- stipplingDot-based shading technique
layering · canvas · pigment · texture · blending · contrast · highlight · shading · impasto · glazing
serif
Letter terminal flourish
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- letterformA character's visual structure
- penInk-filled writing tool
flourish · terminal · contrast · hairline · ascender · descender · crossbar · stem · bowl · baseline
counterstrokespreemptive strikes
Offensive action forestalling threat
counterstrokesaggressions
Unprovoked attacks or assaults
attacks · assaults · onslaughts · advances · invasions