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Definitions

counterclaim

[koun-ter-kleym, koun-ter-kleym] / ˈkaʊn tərˌkleɪm, ˌkaʊn tərˈkleɪm /
NOUN
answer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comment explanation feedback interpretation justification key observation rebuttal remark report resolution response result return sign solution statement
STRONG
acknowledgment antiphon close comeback cooler crack defense disclosure echo elucidation guff lip plea refutation rejoinder repartee retort riposte topper vindication wisecrack
WEAK
Band-Aid back talk backcap parting shot pay dirt quick fix rhetorical question thank-you note the ticket
Antonyms
STRONGEST
problem question quiet request silence trouble
NOUN
claim
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allegation application assertion call case demand interest petition plea request requirement suit
STRONG
affirmation birthright declaration dibs due entreaty lien part postulation prerogative pretense pretension privilege profession protestation reclamation requisition title ultimatum
Antonyms
STRONGEST
answer reply
STRONG
denial honesty truth
NOUN
compensation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allowance benefit bonus coverage earnings fee indemnity pay payment payoff premium profit redress reimbursement remittance remuneration reparation restitution reward salary settlement stipend wage
STRONG
advantage amends atonement bread consideration damages defrayal deserts gain honorarium indemnification meet quittance reciprocity reckoning recompense remittal reprisal requital salt satisfaction scale shake take
WEAK
recoupment take-home
Antonyms
STRONGEST
debt hurt loss penalty
WEAK
damage deprivation fine forfeiture
NOUN
demand
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appeal application call claim insistence interest need order requirement sale trade
STRONG
arrogation bid bidding charge clamor command entreaty exaction importunity imposition inquiry interrogation lien necessity occasion petition plea prayer pursuit requisition rush search solicitation stipulation suit supplication ultimatum vogue want
WEAK
call for entreatment impetration imploration
Antonyms
STRONG
answer reply retreat
WEAK
grant offer
NOUN
indemnification
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensation indemnity restitution
STRONG
benefit coverage damages defrayal deserts gain payoff premium quittance reckoning recompense redress reimbursement remittal remittance remuneration reparation repayment reprisal requital reward satisfaction scale setoff settlement shake take
WEAK
offset payment profit recoupment
Antonyms
STRONG
debt disadvantage dissatisfaction hindrance hurt loss penalty
NOUN
quittance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensation
STRONG
advantage allowance amends atonement benefit bonus bread consideration coverage damages defrayal deserts earnings fee gain honorarium indemnification indemnity meet offset pay payment payoff premium profit reciprocity reckoning recompense redress reimbursement remittal remittance remuneration reparation repayment reprisal requital restitution reward salary salt satisfaction scale setoff settlement shake stipend take wage
WEAK
recoupment take-home
Antonyms
STRONG
debt disadvantage dissatisfaction hindrance hurt loss penalty
NOUN
rebuttal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rejoinder reply
STRONG
answer confutation counterargument countercharge defense
WEAK
counteraccusation
NOUN
rejoinder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rebuttal repartee retort
STRONG
comeback confutation counterargument countercharge defense response return wisecrack
WEAK
counteraccusation counterstatement
Antonyms
STRONG
question request
NOUN
setoff
Synonyms
STRONG
advantage allowance amends atonement benefit bonus bread consideration coverage damages defrayal deserts earnings fee gain honorarium indemnification indemnity meet offset pay payment payoff premium profit quittance reciprocity reckoning recompense redress reimbursement remittal remittance remuneration reparation repayment reprisal requital restitution reward salary salt satisfaction scale settlement shake stipend take wage
WEAK
recoupment take-home
Antonyms
STRONG
debt disadvantage dissatisfaction hindrance hurt loss penalty
NOUN
trial
Synonyms
STRONGEST
action arraignment case contest hearing impeachment indictment lawsuit litigation prosecution suit tribunal
STRONG
citation claim cross-examination rap seizure
WEAK
court action court martial habeas corpus
VERB
answer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledge argue claim defend deny explain plead resolve respond return say solve
STRONG
comeback contest disprove dispute echo feedback parry rebut refute rejoin remark retaliate retort sass settle squelch top
WEAK
answer back back at you back-talk be in touch field the question get back at get back to give a snappy comeback shoot back talk back
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree ask deny ignore leave question renounce request wonder
STRONG
allow prove
VERB
demand
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appeal challenge claim expect force order press question request require stipulate urge
STRONG
abuse apply arrogate badger beg beseech besiege bid charge cite coerce command compel constrain direct dun enjoin entreat exact hit implore importune inquire interrogate knock nag necessitate oblige pester petition postulate pray requisition solicit summon supplicate tax
WEAK
clamor for hit up impetrate insist on sue for whistle for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
answer deny disclaim reply
STRONG
compliment exonerate free give leave alone please praise release
WEAK
grant offer present supply

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During that encounter, Shell told Cipriani that he owed him nothing, according to Shell’s counterclaim.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

“Cipriani did not come to Court to enforce some purported oral agreement. He came to complete a shakedown,” Shell said in his counterclaim.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The counterclaim cites “allegations Plaintiffs have recently fabricated in support of their extortionate scheme” and comments the accusers’ lawyers allegedly made during a May 6 press conference.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

The striker's team, meanwhile, reiterated that despite the counterclaim there was "no legal basis for deferring payment of the sum due".

From BBC • May 15, 2025

The railway company not only repudiated all liability, but sent in a counterclaim for damage to their engine!

From Grain and Chaff from an English Manor by Savory, Arthur H.

Vocabulary lists containing counterclaim

The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 1

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Against All Odds: Contra and Counter

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Common Core Grades 7–8, List 1

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!