as in counter
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the belief that higher interest rates are an effective counterforce to inflationary pressures
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterforce
The idea is for two pylons to be attached to a special structure on the tower with cables that are expected to exert a counterforce should the tower start tipping more dangerously.
—
Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
In many ways, the logic of a counterforce strategy parallels the logic of traditional military strategy.
—Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
In many ways, the logic of a counterforce strategy parallels the logic of traditional military strategy.
—Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
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
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
Noun
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About 77% of Gen Zers consider work-life balance central to a successful career.—
First Place for Youth,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Credit card debt hits another record high Total credit card balances in the U.S. Q1 2018–Q4 2024 The line chart shows total quarterly credit card balances in the U.S. from Q1 2018 through Q4 2024.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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