counteroffensive

[ koun-ter-uh-fen-siv, koun-ter-uh-fen- ]

/ ˌkaʊn tər əˈfɛn sɪv, ˈkaʊn tər əˌfɛn- /

an attack by an army against an attacking enemy force.

Origin of counteroffensive

First recorded in 1915–20; counter- + offensive

Whatever degree of American assistance the Kurds are receiving, they have already begun a counteroffensive.

Will U.S. Troops Stand By While ISIS Starves Thousands? |Jacob Siegel |August 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Approximately 90 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its counteroffensive—among them were 22 children.

Numbers Don’t Tell the Mideast Story |Thane Rosenbaum |July 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Howard Kurtz on whether NPR acted unfairly—and Fox's counteroffensive.

Was Juan Williams Fired Unfairly? |Howard Kurtz |October 21, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Essentially, US forces were sallying out to launch a counteroffensive to retake the city.

'Stop Commuting to War' |Thomas E. Ricks |February 10, 2009 |DAILY BEAST

Von Boehn, therefore, was hurriedly detached rearward to deal with the Belgian counteroffensive.

The Story of the Great War, Volume II (of VIII) |Various
South of the Lupkow the Germanic forces opened their counteroffensive on April 6, 1915.

The Story of the Great War, Volume III (of VIII) |Various
Since the beginning of the counteroffensive 30,000 German prisoners were taken.

The Story of the Great War, Volume VII (of VIII) |Various
This was General Joffre's counteroffensive, and it developed in detail almost exactly along the lines that he had laid down.

The Story of the Great War, Volume II (of VIII) |Various
This counteroffensive had reached its end practically on July 6, 1918.

The Story of the Great War, Volume VIII (of VIII) |various

counteroffensive

/ (ˈkaʊntərəˌfɛnsɪv) /

a series of attacks by a defending force against an attacking enemy