Past tense of counterattack; responded to an attack by attacking back instead of defending.
From counter- (against, in response) + attacked (past tense of attack, from Old French atacher meaning to fasten or strike). The term developed military significance during the 19th century.
Military strategists discovered that sometimes the best defense is a good offense—counterattacking became so effective that it revolutionized warfare tactics, turning losing battles into victories by forcing enemies to suddenly defend instead of attack.
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