counterargument

[ koun-ter-ahr-gyuh-muhnt ]

noun

1. a contrasting, opposing, or refuting argument.

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterargument¹

First recorded in 1860–65; counter- + argument

Example Sentences

Once the harassment campaign started to get more national attention, thousands of feminists logged on to defend the targets, flooding Twitter with memes and counterarguments that recognized the true villains as the Gamergaters themselves.

From Salon

“The counterargument is, you know, ‘Aren’t you promoting a constitutional crisis?’

From Salon

Appel: Echoing Seth, because he’s the most important person here, I actually think that the 25 years of “Family Guy” is the counterargument to the perceived tenderness of sensibilities.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, Soderbergh has continued to make his own canny counterarguments, usually in the form of movies.

From Los Angeles Times

The wife-and-husband team serves a strong, but never stern, counterargument to the visionaries promising that we’ll put humans on Mars in the very near future.

From Salon

Related Words

• rebuttal
• repartee
• retort

More About Counterargument

What does counterargument mean?

A counterargument is an argument that is issued in response to someone else’s argument to show that the original claim is somehow incorrect.

An argument, in this context, is a series of reasons used to make a claim. A counterargument is always a response—its point is to refute (prove wrong) the original argument. The term is most commonly used in formal contexts, like debates or courtroom settings, but it can also be used in informal contexts, like everyday discussions.

Example: The debate team worked diligently to prepare a counterargument that disproved their opponents’ stance.

Where does counterargument come from?

The first recorded use of counterargument in English comes from the 1860s (when it was hyphenated as counter-argument). The prefix counter- means “against” or “opposite.”

Counterarguments are most commonly found in legal settings and debates, when each opposing side delivers a reasoned argument in favor of their point of view and then tries to disprove their opponent’s claims. For example, in a criminal trial, the prosecution first presents evidence in an attempt to prove that someone committed a crime. The defense then offers a counterargument in an attempt to persuade the jury that the person did not commit the crime.

Counterarguments typically occur when there are at least two opposing sides, but you can make a counterargument against yourself. Writing intended to be persuasive sometimes includes a counterargument to the main argument to show that the author has considered other points of view.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for counterargument?

• rebuttal
• refutation
• rejoinder
• challenge

What are some words that share a root or word element with counterargument?

 

• counterstatement
• counteroffer
• outargue
• redargue
• contrary

What are some words that often get used in discussing counterargument?

 

• debate
• contention
• premise
• thesis

How is counterargument used in real life?

Counterarguments are usually used to show a different point of view or the flip side of an argument.

Almost every sentiment that an individual or group of individuals expresses has an element of truth to it, it also has a paradox and at least one counterargument, Life's Not Black & White, Life is grey, Life is Multi-faceted, Multi dimensional, deep and many layered

— Conor Canney (@ConorCanney) January 1, 2020

One of the arguments against tanking is the fact that you may not finish to where you desire at the end of the year. Counterargument: You can only control what your team's outcome is. You cannot control other teams' (Milwaukee Bucks in 2013-14, Cincinnati this season) futility.

— Jake Hyman (@RealJakeHyman) January 7, 2020

My main counterargument for ideas like this one, as laudable as they are in many ways, is that they tend to ignore a news outlet's fundamental need to attract an audience in order to be socially useful https://t.co/LecxA5PRbK

— Joshua Benton (@jbenton) January 2, 2020

 

Try using counterargument!

Which of the following statements is a counterargument to the (correct) argument that ranch dressing is the best salad dressing?

A. No, it’s not.
B. Ranch dressing is normally white, and French dressing is typically an orange color.
C. Ranch dressing can be poured on salad or used for dipping.
D. Balsamic vinaigrette is the best dressing because it is healthier than ranch dressing and has a better flavor.