Relating to a military attack or campaign launched in response to an enemy's offensive, designed to seize initiative and push back.
From counter- (against) + offensive (from Latin offendere, 'to strike against'). A military term that became prominent in 20th-century warfare.
The most dramatic military moments are counteroffensives—when an army that's been pushed back suddenly launches a massive surprise attack, like the Allies' D-Day invasion reversing Nazi advances.
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