counterstratagem means A stratagem set up to oppose another stratagem. It carries an Arena rating of 1336, earned across 50 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, counterstratagem ranks #2,552 of 17,149 for Most Exacting Words, #3,096 of 17,126 for Most Satisfying to Say, #3,761 of 17,138 for Most Incisive Words, #4,052 of 17,128 for Most Ponderous Words.
Why “counterstratagem” is a great word
COUNTERSTRATAGEM — [Noun] A stratagem devised to oppose or neutralize another stratagem. From counter- (expressing opposition or retaliation) + stratagem (from Latin strategema, from Ancient Greek στρατήγημα (stratḗgēma, "act of a general, piece of generalship")). Unlike a "countermeasure," which is a broad, often reactive corrective, or a "riposte," which is a swift, verbal parry, a counterstratagem is a deliberate piece of tactical ingenuity meeting cunning with superior cunning. It is the general's feigned retreat that lures an enemy into a canyon, the diplomat's careful leak of false intelligence to turn a trap, or the chess master's sacrifice that unveils a decisive mating net. It is the silent proof that every act of cleverness begets its equal and opposite shadow.
Etymology
From counter- + stratagem.
noun
- A stratagem set up to oppose another stratagem.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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