counteract
verb
coun·ter·act ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈakt 
counteracted; counteracting; counteracts
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence
a drug used to counteract fatigue
Examples of counteract in a Sentence
The drug will counteract the poison. this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
Recent Examples on the Web
And inside this clump of matter, gravitation pulls things inwards, but the heat of the moving particles provides an outward pressure (which is a force over an area), gas pressure, that works to counteract the effects of gravitation. —
Big Think, 24 Apr. 2026 The national park system China has developed for giant pandas is designed to counteract this fragmentation by connecting reserves across the landscape. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026 What to read next Adaptive optics describes how telescope mirrors can make minute changes in their shape to counteract the twinkling of stars by the atmosphere. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026 Opening across the chest, this part of the flow utilizes breath and positioning over the roller to counteract tightness and encourage expansion through the upper body. —Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counteract
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Big Think, 24 Apr. 2026 The national park system China has developed for giant pandas is designed to counteract this fragmentation by connecting reserves across the landscape. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026 What to read next Adaptive optics describes how telescope mirrors can make minute changes in their shape to counteract the twinkling of stars by the atmosphere. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026 Opening across the chest, this part of the flow utilizes breath and positioning over the roller to counteract tightness and encourage expansion through the upper body. —Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counteract
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/counteract. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counteract
verb
coun·ter·act ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to lessen the force, action, or influence of : offset
a drug that counteracts a poison
Medical Definition
counteract
transitive verb
coun·ter·act ˌkau̇nt-ə-ˈrakt
: to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by an opposite force
vitamin K counteracts the effects of warfarin
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