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Synonyms

counterclaim

American  
[koun-ter-kleym, koun-ter-kleym] / ˈkaʊn tərˌkleɪm, ˌkaʊn tərˈkleɪm /

noun

  1. a claim made to offset another claim, especially one made by the defendant in a legal action.

verb (used with or without object)

  1. to claim so as to offset a previous claim.

counterclaim British  
/ ˈkaʊntəˌkleɪm /

noun

  1. a claim set up in opposition to another, esp by the defendant in a civil action against the plaintiff

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to set up (a claim) in opposition to another claim

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • counterclaimant noun

Etymology

Origin of counterclaim

First recorded in 1775–85; counter- + claim

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Cipriani did not come to Court to enforce some purported oral agreement. He came to complete a shakedown,” Shell said in his counterclaim.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

In addition to the counterclaim, Robinson’s legal team filed a motion to strike the accusers’ initial lawsuit, finding issue with their decision to remain anonymous.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

In their court submission, the club's lawyers asserted that the counterclaim was prompted by Mbappe's "deceptive behaviour during negotiations to revise his contract".

From BBC • May 15, 2025

An admission of guilt from the defendant didn't count as evidence, and if the defendant had a valid counterclaim, the divorce would be denied.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2024

In all the discussions of the question of the amount of indemnity we never hear anything of the amount of counterclaim which the Chinese might rightfully make against us.

From Impressions of a War Correspondent by Lynch, George

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.