countercharge

American  

[koun-ter-chahrj, koun-ter-chahrj, koun-ter-chahrj] / ˈkaʊn tərˌtʃɑrdʒ, ˌkaʊn tərˈtʃɑrdʒ, ˈkaʊn tərˌtʃɑrdʒ /

noun

1. a charge by an accused person against the accuser.

2. Military. a retaliatory charge.

---

verb (used with object)

countercharged, countercharging

1. to make an accusation against (one's accuser).

2. Military. to charge in retaliation.

countercharge British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌtʃɑːdʒ /

noun

1. a charge brought by an accused person against the accuser

2. military a retaliatory charge

---

verb

1. (tr) to make a countercharge against

Etymology

Origin of countercharge

First recorded in 1605–15; counter- + charge

Example Sentences

As he helped Alcocer with the countercharge, he said he voiced concerns about the amount of material being loaded into the containment vessel, according to his and Levesque’s interviews with investigators.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2023

The 150-year-old, recently digitized map depicts the Battle of Antietam — not with the usual scenes of charge and countercharge, but as one vast cemetery.

From Washington Post • Jun. 17, 2020

It’s the stuff of the cheating husband whose wife finds a telltale hotel receipt in his suit and who responds to her charge with the outraged countercharge, “You went through my pockets?”

From Time • Mar. 31, 2014

In this environment of acrimony and charge and countercharge, the anger of Majed al-Muhammad, the retired sergeant major, was of a type fueled by frustration and loss.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2012

The enemy thinking we intended to make a general attack, concluded to anticipate it by a countercharge, which they did, just as we wanted them to do, and they were repulsed all along the lines.

From Some Personal Reminiscences of Service in the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac by Thomas, Hampton Sidney

Related Words

• rebuttal
• repartee
• retort