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
Synonyms
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
Benefits of eating pumpkin Pumpkin has mild diuretic properties, thanks to its high water and potassium content, which can help counteract water retention.
—
Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
Add sweetness: A touch of sweetness can counteract excessive heat by softening its sharpness.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024
Business leaders can take a public and private stand for voting rights by providing employees with key facts to counteract misinformation about election security.
—Rhett Buttle, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
To counteract the Pentagon’s investment in the war in Afghanistan, for example, White House officials’ best argument to defense leaders would have been that continuing the war would reduce the military’s readiness for great-power competition.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteract 
Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
Add sweetness: A touch of sweetness can counteract excessive heat by softening its sharpness.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024
Business leaders can take a public and private stand for voting rights by providing employees with key facts to counteract misinformation about election security.
—Rhett Buttle, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
To counteract the Pentagon’s investment in the war in Afghanistan, for example, White House officials’ best argument to defense leaders would have been that continuing the war would reduce the military’s readiness for great-power competition.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counteract
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counteract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near counteract
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counteract. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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