reply vs counter

reply and counter both are nouns.

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

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

reply: the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
counter: a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)

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

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

reply (noun)	counter (noun)
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange	a return punch (especially by a boxer)
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation	table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
	a calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens
	a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe or boot
	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

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

reply (verb)	counter (verb)
react verbally	speak in response
	act in advance of; deal with ahead of time

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