counterpunch means A punch delivered in response to a previous punch by somebody else, such as an opponent in a boxing match: a return blow, a retaliatory blow. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 83 out of 100.
Why “counterpunch” is a great word
A punch delivered in immediate response to an opponent's attack, designed to exploit the opening created by their offensive move. From the prefix counter- (meaning "against" or "in return") + punch (meaning "a blow with the fist"), first recorded in 1675–85. Unlike a preemptive strike, which seeks to forestall an attack, or a riposte, which carries the fencer's wit and verbal flair, the counterpunch is pure, disciplined reaction. It is the crisp crack of a gloved fist meeting a lunging jaw, the strategic silence of a chess player capturing an undefended queen, the sudden headline that reframes a political scandal—a small, perfect justice born from waiting for the world to overreach.
Etymology
From counter- + punch.
noun
- A punch delivered in response to a previous punch by somebody else, such as an opponent in a boxing match: a return blow, a retaliatory blow.“Near-synonyms: counterattack, counterstrike”
- A punch used in the cutting of other punches, often used to create the negative space in or around a glyph.
verb
- To deliver a punch designed to exploit an opponent's momentary defensive weakness caused by a punch thrown by the opponent.
- To deliver a competitive response to an opponent designed to exploit a weakness created by the opponent's offensive efforts.“She stands just a little over 5-foot-6, but her two-handed ground strokes off both wings, inspired by the four-time Australian Open champion Monica Seles, allow her to create sharp angles and counterpunching power.”