counterpunch

Meanings

1. A punch delivered in response to a previous punch by somebody else, such as an opponent in a boxing match: a return blow, a retaliatory blow.
2. A punch used in the cutting of other punches, often used to create the negative space in or around a glyph.

1. To deliver a punch designed to exploit an opponent's momentary defensive weakness caused by a punch thrown by the opponent.
2. To deliver a competitive response to an opponent designed to exploit a weakness created by the opponent's offensive efforts.

Etymology

From counter- + punch.