1. threats made in response to or as a defense against another threat
Usage: plural form; typically used in political, military, or diplomatic contexts

Examples

• The government issued counterthreats after the neighboring country made aggressive demands.
• Diplomats exchanged counterthreats during the tense negotiations.
• Military analysts debated whether counterthreats would escalate the conflict.
• The company responded to the lawsuit with counterthreats of its own.
• Counterthreats are sometimes used as a deterrent in international relations.