counterculture

noun

coun·ter·cul·ture ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌkəl-chər

: a culture with values and mores that run counter to those of established society

countercultural

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rəl

-ˈkəl-chə-

adjective

counterculturalism

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rə-ˌli-zəm

-ˈkəl-chə-

noun

counterculturist

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkəlch-rə-list

-ˈkəl-chə-

noun

Examples of counterculture in a Sentence

the counterculture of the hippies He was part of the antiwar counterculture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

On January 14, hippies and other counterculture participants swarmed to the polo grounds in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in a gathering called the Human Be-In. —

Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Jan. 2025 Psychedelics are experiencing a resurgence, not only within the realms of counterculture but also as a significant player in the evolving wellness landscape. —

Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025 The historical origins of Make America Healthy Again From the beginning, Kennedy’s career has blended a connection to the counterculture with his august surname and a professed commitment to noble goals. —

Keren Landman, Vox, 10 Dec. 2024 This really gained steam in the 1960s counterculture. —

Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for counterculture

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of counterculture was in 1947

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counterculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterculture. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

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