From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcounteractcoun‧ter‧act /ˌkaʊntərˈækt/ ●○○ verb [transitive] SOLVE/DEAL WITH A PROBLEMto reduce or prevent the bad effect of something, by doing something that has the opposite effect They gave him drugs to counteract his withdrawal symptoms. —counteraction /-ˈækʃən/ noun [countable, uncountable]→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
counteract• As early as the 1840s, it was suggested that the efficiency of the lens could be counteracted by using faulty ones.• Franz Kafka perfectly exemplifies the efficacy of art in counteracting emotional wounds, if not in healing them.• Because of the invariable growth of the counteracting force known as Regionalism, or Nationalism, the Spiritual Power can not prevail.• Taking vitamins can counteract some bad eating habits.• Many contain potassium salts to counteract the loss of potassium ions from the body during diarrhoea.• Town halls should make an all out effort for interest and warmth to counteract the pervasive greyness outside.• Sometimes, rosemary or balm was added to the bran to counteract the smell of decomposition.• Some academics try to counteract this trend by trying to identify the bright sparks and arrange special seminars for them.• Acceptance, shown by affection, can counteract those feelings. 