Counteraction

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A measure taken to offset or neutralize the effects of another action typically involves a response that directly opposes the initial act
2. The act of addressing or countering a specific action generally refers to a response that aims to diminish or mitigate its impact
3. An action undertaken to counterbalance or negate the influence of another action often involves a reaction that directly contradicts the original initiative

Etymology: Counteraction is a plain compound: "counter-" added to "action." The prefix comes from Latin "contra," meaning "against," which passed through Old French "contre" and Anglo-Norman "countre" before reaching Middle English as "counter-." Its meaning, "opposing move," follows directly from that sense of "against." The second half, "action," has a longer route. It descends from Latin "actio," a noun built on the verb "agere," "to drive, do or act." Old French "accion" carried it into Middle English as "acciown," and English later settled on the modern spelling. Joining the two parts gives a word that literally means an act set against another act.

Synonyms: reaction, opposition, resistance, retaliation, countermeasure

Antonyms: compliance, submission, agreement, acceptance, conformity