SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
counteract
verb
To act against an influence in order to reduce or cancel its effect.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Oppose an effect
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topNeutralize may imply eliminating an effect; counteract can mean reducing it only partly.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See counteract in use
The editor added a factual note to counteract a misleading impression in the headline.
Clear name labels proved effectual during the trial, allowing customers to identify their parcels without asking an assistant. The manager also moved a tall display to counteract the blocked view of the shelf from the entrance.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license