Counterargument - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT counterargument /ˈkaʊnɾərɑrgjumɪnt/ /ˈkaʊntəɒgjumɪnt/ IPA guide

Other forms: counterarguments

A counterargument is the thoughtful response you give when you disagree with someone's ideas or claims. In criminal court, a defense attorney usually gives a counterargument to the prosecutor's accusations.

A counterargument is really just what it sounds like — an argument that runs counter to someone else's original argument. In this case, counter means "against" or "in response to," from the Latin root contra, "opposite, against, or in return." A true counterargument is well thought out, countering each idea with a set of reasons proving that the opposite is true.

Definitions of counterargument

noun an argument offered in opposition to another argument synonyms: counterclaim see moresee less type of: argument, statement a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

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