as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterbalance
Mike Sando, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
And at 86 proof, there’s a touch of heat that is a welcome counterbalance to the whiskey’s vanilla focus.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025
Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
The estate is only three miles from False Bay, which influences a cooling effect with winds counterbalancing hot summers, allowing for a longer growing season, enabling grapes to find an ideal balance between fruit ripeness, plenty of acidity and ripe tannins – creating a silky texture.
—Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
Front offices then frequently push for seasoned defensive coordinators as a counterbalance.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
And at 86 proof, there’s a touch of heat that is a welcome counterbalance to the whiskey’s vanilla focus.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
But those potential counterbalancing forces will have to fight for such an alternative—and take advantage of the obstacles that a more globalized world poses to great powers’ wish to carve it into pieces.
—Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
The estate is only three miles from False Bay, which influences a cooling effect with winds counterbalancing hot summers, allowing for a longer growing season, enabling grapes to find an ideal balance between fruit ripeness, plenty of acidity and ripe tannins – creating a silky texture.
—Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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Those tax cuts could add more than $9 trillion to the deficit over the next decade without offsets, according to a new analysis from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
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Supports Green Projects Some initiatives use mining profits to invest in reforestation, carbon offsets or sustainability programs.—
Alex Pron,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These ants, known for their ability to detonate their own bodies, release a toxic secretion to neutralize the threat of invading predators.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The agency said the test demonstrated the reconnaissance drone's ability to track multiple targets and monitor troop movements on land and at sea, potentially enhancing North Korea's intelligence-gathering operations and ability to neutralize enemy threats.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And the long stainless steel counter can double as a wipe-clean work bench for wrenching on bike components.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Apr. 2025
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These counter measures were imposed on the U.S. by Canada, Cuba, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland.—
Mike Patton,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This story has been corrected to show the name of the residents' group is Eaton Fire Residents United, not Eaton Fire Residents Unite.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Both things were handled during and throughout the boot camp, and Ray was correcting us.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Interest begins accruing the day after the tax deadline on any unpaid balance.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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The white flowers also provide a balance to the golden design.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Even then, the probability of being a counterweight to Google is small.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
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The slate of divisive Trump loyalists could reshape the country’s image of state executives, who have had some of the most positive approval ratings of any politicians in the country and generally have been seen as sober counterweights to whichever administration is in power.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
26 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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