answer vs counter

answer and counter both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
answer	Yes	No	Yes	No
counter	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

As verbs, counter is a hyponym of answer; that is, counter is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than answer:

Other hyponyms of answer include call back, field, sass, come back, rejoin, repay, retort, return, riposte, bridle.

answer (noun)	counter (noun)
a nonverbal reaction	a return punch (especially by a boxer)
the speech act of replying to a question	table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation	a calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem	a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe or boot
the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims	game equipment (as a piece of wood, plastic, or ivory) used for keeping a count or reserving a space in various card or board games
	a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
	(computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers)
	a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
	a person who counts things

answer (adjective)	counter (adjective)
	indicating opposition or resistance

answer (verb)	counter (verb)
give the correct answer or solution to	speak in response
respond to a signal	act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
understand the meaning of
react to a stimulus or command
react verbally
give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
match or correspond
be liable or accountable
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

answer (adverb)	counter (adverb)
	in the opposite direction