'counterargument' originates from the combination of 'counter-' meaning 'against' and 'argument' from Latin 'argumentum', meaning 'evidence, ground, support'.

'counterargument' evolved from the Latin word 'argumentum' through Middle English 'argument', with the prefix 'counter-' added to denote opposition.

Initially, it meant 'an opposing argument', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.