as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
hard work can often be a counterweight to modest intelligence
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Recent Examples of counterweight
While President Trump’s high tariffs proposed for Vietnam have thrown a wrench into deepening ties, Vietnam continues to view the United States as a critical security counterweight to China, its northern neighbor.
—
Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025
India is not only the world's most populous country, but is also a counterweight to China, the main rival of the United States, in military, economic and diplomatic terms.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
To clinch the alpine theme, the counterweight on the seconds hand is shaped like an eagle’s feather.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
Even then, the probability of being a counterweight to Google is small.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025
India is not only the world's most populous country, but is also a counterweight to China, the main rival of the United States, in military, economic and diplomatic terms.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
To clinch the alpine theme, the counterweight on the seconds hand is shaped like an eagle’s feather.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
Even then, the probability of being a counterweight to Google is small.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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But markets are betting that making the 2017 tax cuts permanent as well as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, with only partial revenue offsets, will aggravate the fiscal problems.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
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Those efforts and the pandemic pause significantly reduced the number of seniors facing offsets.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Hodges and Cruz were waiting in the sandwich line at the deli counter at Joe’s Grocery, on Lenox Ave.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
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LEDs under the bathroom counter or cabinets and over the bathroom vanity can also provide ideal night lighting.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Spain's housing crisis highlights the delicate balance between tourism and residents, particularly in popular tourist destinations.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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The record-setting balances, on their own, weren’t necessarily a troublesome indicator.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Noun
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But there is an important counterbalance to this blanket intolerance.—
Jen Cole Wright,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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When external factors create pressure, internal purpose becomes the counterbalance that keeps people engaged.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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