run counter

verb

To defy or oppose something, especially an expectation, custom, or social standard.

Similar
go against the grain
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Meanings

verbrun counter (third-person singular simple present runs counter, present participle running counter, simple past ran counter, past participle run counter)

present singular third person runs counter · participle present running counter · past ran counter

  1. To defy or oppose something, especially an expectation, custom, or social standard.

    Synonyms: go against the grain

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo defy or oppose something, especially an expectation, custom, or social standard.

Similar
go against the grain
Also see
go against the grain
Cite this entry
APA

run counter. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20counter

MLA

“run counter.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20counter. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run counter,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20counter.

Source: run counter on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.