counterattack vs attack

counterattack and attack both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
counterattack	Yes	No	Yes	No
attack	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, attack is a hypernym of counterattack; that is, attack is a word with a broader meaning than counterattack:

counterattack: an attack by a defending force against an attacking enemy force in order to regain lost ground or cut off enemy advance units etc.
attack: (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

Other hypernyms of counterattack include onrush, onset, onslaught.

As nouns, attack is a hypernym of counterattack; that is, attack is a word with a broader meaning than counterattack:

counterattack: (chess) an attack that is intended to counter the opponent's advantage in another part of the board
attack: an offensive move in a sport or game

As verbs, attack is a hypernym of counterattack; that is, attack is a word with a broader meaning than counterattack:

counterattack: make a counterattack
attack: launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

Other hypernyms of counterattack include assail.

counterattack (noun)	attack (noun)
an attack by a defending force against an attacking enemy force in order to regain lost ground or cut off enemy advance units etc.	(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
(chess) an attack that is intended to counter the opponent's advantage in another part of the board	a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
	the act of attacking
	ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
	an offensive move in a sport or game
	strong criticism
	intense adverse criticism
	the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)
	a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition

counterattack (verb)	attack (verb)
make a counterattack	begin to injure
	set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task
	attack in speech or writing
	launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
	take the initiative and go on the offensive
	attack someone physically or emotionally