Counter-blow refers to a retaliatory action taken in response to an attack. The antonyms for the word "counter-blow" are surrender, submission, capitulation, acquiescence, and yielding. These words imply giving up, accepting defeat, or letting others have their way. Surrender refers to yielding control or giving up in the face of an opponent's superior power. Submission implies complying with someone else's wishes or demands. Capitulation suggests giving in to a more powerful force, while acquiescence connotes passively accepting something without protest. In contrast, the word "counter-blow" denotes a proactive and assertive response to an attack or provocation.