Counteroffensives refer to military tactics that are employed in response to an enemy attack. Opposite to this would be "retreat," "surrender" or "capitulation" which signify a concession to an opposing force. Other antonyms for counteroffensive include "conceding," "yielding," and "submission." These terms all signify an agreement to the terms of the enemy, rather than pushing back against them. In a political or social situation, antonyms of counteroffensives could include "compromise," "conciliation," "appeasement," and "negotiation." While military leaders often use counteroffensives to achieve strategic objectives, for organizations and individuals, other approaches might be more effective in terms of reaching their goals.