Reactions to desk sizes? (15)

I believe the answer is:

countermeasures

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'reactions' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'desk sizes?' is the wordplay.
'desk' becomes 'counter' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'sizes?' becomes 'measures' (size is a kind of measure).
'counter'+'measures'='COUNTERMEASURES'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for countermeasures that I've seen is " They may offset".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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