counteract
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkaʊntɝˌækt// UK //kˌaʊntəɹˈækt// coun·ter·act
v. to do something that reduces or stops the bad effect of something else. You use this when you want to balance out a negative situation.
v. to act in opposition to something in order to neutralise its effect. Often implies the application of a corrective force or substance to mitigate a negative impact.
Drinking water helps to counteract the effects of the heat.
The government introduced new tax breaks to counteract the recent decline in consumer spending.
To counteract the rising acidity of the soil, the farmers applied a layer of crushed limestone across the fields before the spring planting began.
From counter- + act.
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.