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
Elias Leight, Billboard, 28 May 2025
The history Trump alludes to is the strategy of the Nixon era, in which the U.S. sought to align with China as a counterbalance to the Soviet Union, encouraging a split between the two communist entities in the process.
—Linggong Kong, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
His Italian heritage could be a benefit, counterbalancing the novelty of his candidacy with the stability of an Italian papacy.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
On a long album full of romantic vitriol and emotional desolation, songs in this mode provide brief eruptions of uplift — a necessary counterbalance.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 28 May 2025
The history Trump alludes to is the strategy of the Nixon era, in which the U.S. sought to align with China as a counterbalance to the Soviet Union, encouraging a split between the two communist entities in the process.
—Linggong Kong, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
Many of the attendees of the event, founded in 2018, are traditionally small or one-person businesses that will need to counterbalance rising costs by finding efficiencies with AI.
—Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
His Italian heritage could be a benefit, counterbalancing the novelty of his candidacy with the stability of an Italian papacy.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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However, the proliferation of low-quality or poorly verified offsets dilutes the market's credibility and undermines climate goals.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
That's still a huge offset to the deficit and debt projections coming from the budget bill alone.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Leaving an open container of baking soda in your fridge can help neutralize odors.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
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Smart cybersecurity can find, filter, neutralize, and fix cyber threats.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Trowbridge's is a charming blast from the past, from the vinyl counter seats to the old-fashioned milkshakes, to the homemade chili and chicken and dumplings.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
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Boxes of 45s, some with protective sleeves and many without, line the floor near the counter where Doug Snyder sits on the left side of the store.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Rework alone—correcting things that have simply been done wrong—accounts for 12% of the cost of projects, on average.—
Kathleen Kewley,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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This story was updated to correct information about who would manage the Findlay Community Center's childcare center.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
Noun
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By the late 1800s, in one of their many acts of unsettling America’s natural balance, white men had hunted wolves and mountain lions to extinction in the East.—
Helen Whybrow
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
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The full menu features ten alcoholic and ten no-low ABV serves, each carefully modernized using advanced techniques, refined ingredients, and a fresh approach to balance and presentation.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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But then, China is also in no position to challenge or provide a counterweight to the United States in the region.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
-
Indeed, China and Russia have been leading the effort to form steering groups, such as the BRICS, to serve as counterweights to the G-7 and other bodies dominated by the West.—
Charles A. Kupchan,
Time,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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