coun·ter·act

[koun-ter-akt]
verb (used with object)
to act in opposition to; frustrate by contrary action.

Origin:
1670–80; counter- + act

coun·ter·ac·tant, adjective
coun·ter·act·er, coun·ter·ac·tor, noun
coun·ter·act·ing·ly, adverb
coun·ter·ac·tion, noun
coun·ter·ac·tive, adjective
coun·ter·ac·tive·ly, adverb
non·coun·ter·ac·tive, adjective
un·coun·ter·act·ed, adjective


neutralize, counterbalance, contravene, thwart.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To counteract
00:10
Counteract is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
Collins
World English Dictionary
counteract (ˌkaʊntərˈækt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
(tr) to oppose, neutralize, or mitigate the effects of by contrary action; check
 
counter'action
 
n
 
counter'active
 
adj
 
counter'actively
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

counteract
1670s, from counter- + act.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
We need an action group that will work to counteract any and all purveyors of sloppy thinking in today's world.
My doctor has prescribed it to counteract the effect of another medicine which makes me tired.
To counteract these killers, some physicians have turned to lengthy or lifelong courses of antibiotics.
They work fine for marmalade as long as you include lemons to counteract their sweetness.
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