English Meaning & Definitions
To act against something in order to reduce its force or neutralize its effect.
- “The government introduced new policies to counteract the rising inflation rates.”
- “She drank a large glass of milk to counteract the spiciness of the curry.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “counteract”.
Derived from the Latin 'contra' (against) and 'actus' (past participle of 'agere', to do or act). The word entered English in the early 17th century, combining the prefix 'counter-' with the verb 'act' to denote the act of opposing or neutralizing an existing force or effect.
Think of a 'counter' (a surface) that 'acts' against a spill by catching it before it hits the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions About “counteract”
1. What is the meaning of “counteract” in English?
In English, counteract (verb) is defined as: “To act against something in order to reduce its force or neutralize its effect.”.
2. How do you use “counteract” in a sentence?
“The government introduced new policies to counteract the rising inflation rates.”
3. What are English synonyms of “counteract”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “counteract”?
Derived from the Latin 'contra' (against) and 'actus' (past participle of 'agere', to do or act). The word entered English in the early 17th century, combining the prefix 'counter-' with the verb 'act' to denote the act of opposing or neutralizing an existing force or effect.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.