counterpunch

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: centerpunch

Antonyms: centerpunch

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. A [[punch#Noun|punch]] delivered in response to a previous punch by somebody else, such as an opponent in a [[boxing#Noun|boxing]] match: a return [[blow#Noun|blow]], a [[retaliatory]] blow.
2. {{lb|en|printing|historical}} A [[punch#Noun|punch]] used in the [[cut#Verb|cut]]ting of other punches, often used to create the [[negative space]] in or around a [[glyph]].

Verb

1. {{lb|en|boxing}} To deliver a punch designed to exploit an opponent's momentary defensive weakness caused by a punch thrown by the opponent.
2. To deliver a competitive response to an opponent designed to exploit a weakness created by the opponent's offensive efforts.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.