How Do You Spell COUNTERACT?

Pronunciation: [kˌa͡ʊntəɹˈakt] (IPA)

Counteract is spelled with three syllables: /ˌkaʊn.tərˈækt/. The word begins with the prefix "counter-" which means opposite, contrary or opposing. The main part of the word is "act", which refers to taking action or the performance of a task. The pronunciation of the word emphasizes the second syllable, /tər/. When used in a sentence, counteract means to take action against something to reduce or eliminate its effects. The correct spelling of this word is necessary for clear communication in written and spoken language.

COUNTERACT Meaning and Definition

  1. Counteract means to take action in order to neutralize or oppose the effects or influence of something. It is a verb that often involves actively working against or mitigating the impact of a particular force, action, or condition.

    When one counteracts something, they are attempting to prevent or diminish its negative effects. For example, if someone has consumed a harmful substance, a healthcare professional may prescribe medication to counteract its effects and promote recovery. In this case, the medication would work against the toxicity of the substance.

    Similarly, counteracting can also refer to opposing or resisting an undesirable trend, behavior, or ideology. For instance, social activists might organize protests, campaigns, or awareness programs to counteract discrimination, inequality, or injustice.

    The act of counteracting often requires decisive measures, deliberate planning, and implementation of strategies aimed at reducing or nullifying the influence, impact, or harm caused by a particular action or situation. It involves actively taking steps to resist or counter a force with the intention of restoring or establishing balance, fairness, or harmony.

    Overall, counteract is a term used when action is taken to oppose, nullify, or limit the effects or influence of something, whether it be physical, chemical, or ideological, in order to restore or establish desired conditions.

  2. To act in opposition to; to hinder; to defeat; to frustrate.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for COUNTERACT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for COUNTERACT

Etymology of COUNTERACT

The word "counteract" has its roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "contra", meaning "against, opposite", and the Latin verb "agere", meaning "to do, to act". When combined, they form the Latin term "contrāctus", which means "to act against, to oppose". Over time, this term evolved into the Middle French word "contreatter", meaning "to counteract". Eventually, it made its way into English in the early 17th century in its current form, "counteract".

Similar spelling words for COUNTERACT

Conjugate verb Counteract

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have counteracted
you would have counteracted
he/she/it would have counteracted
we would have counteracted
they would have counteracted
I would have counteract
you would have counteract
he/she/it would have counteract
we would have counteract
they would have counteract

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been counteracting
you would have been counteracting
he/she/it would have been counteracting
we would have been counteracting
they would have been counteracting

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would counteract
you would counteract
he/she/it would counteract
we would counteract
they would counteract

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be counteracting
you would be counteracting
he/she/it would be counteracting
we would be counteracting
they would be counteracting

FUTURE

I will counteract
you will counteract
he/she/it will counteract
we will counteract
they will counteract

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be counteracting
you will be counteracting
he/she/it will be counteracting
we will be counteracting
they will be counteracting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have counteracted
you will have counteracted
he/she/it will have counteracted
we will have counteracted
they will have counteracted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been counteracting
you will have been counteracting
he/she/it will have been counteracting
we will have been counteracting
they will have been counteracting

IMPERATIVE

you counteract
we let´s counteract

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to counteract

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was counteracting
you were counteracting
he/she/it was counteracting
we were counteracting
they were counteracting

PAST PARTICIPLE

counteracted

PAST PERFECT

I had counteracted
you had counteracted
he/she/it had counteracted
we had counteracted
they had counteracted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been counteracting
you had been counteracting
he/she/it had been counteracting
we had been counteracting
they had been counteracting

PRESENT

I counteract
you counteract
he/she/it counteracts
we counteract
they counteract

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am counteracting
you are counteracting
he/she/it is counteracting
we are counteracting
they are counteracting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

counteracting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have counteracted
you have counteracted
he/she/it has counteracted
we have counteracted
they have counteracted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been counteracting
you have been counteracting
he/she/it has been counteracting
we have been counteracting
they have been counteracting

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it counteract

SIMPLE PAST

I counteracted
you counteracted
he/she/it counteracted
we counteracted
they counteracted

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: