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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counterbalance
Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
According to the filing, the robot allegedly activated without warning and pinned him to the ground with roughly 8,000 lbs of counterbalance weight.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
The pastel counterbalances the darker and mid-tones in the forecast.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
With grocery bills, childcare expenses and other household costs climbing, partly due to ongoing tariff impacts, the cooling rental market provides a modest but meaningful counterbalance.
—Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
According to the filing, the robot allegedly activated without warning and pinned him to the ground with roughly 8,000 lbs of counterbalance weight.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
First described by Albert Einstein in 1917, the constant was originally a coefficient intended to counterbalance gravitational force in a static universe.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
The pastel counterbalances the darker and mid-tones in the forecast.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
-
With an increasing share of capital migrating to passive, private credit provides compelling active management offset—and one that also contributes to the long-term health of our economy.—
Mike Terwilliger,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The calendar, which is printed on carbon offset paper with vegetable inks, features a different rescue dog each month, each with their own survival story and wearing their own fabulous fascinator.—
Monique Jessen,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What’s more, opponents have neutralized his impact as a runner in recent weeks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Some critics have interpreted the ending as a glib last-minute twist that threatens to neutralize the story’s potency and dismisses the seriousness of the movie’s premise.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sift the flours into a mound in a large bowl or on a clean work counter and make a well in the center.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Online commenters claiming to have attended the protests said some rallies were disrupted by supporters of the Counter-Racist Action Collective, an organization that has staged counter-protests in the past.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His teachers corrected his posture and his hands; the angle of the arms and the way the wrist releases into the top of the drum, or drum head which usually is made from animal skin.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
-
This story has been updated to correct the officer's rank.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Subtle hints of vanilla bean and cocoa add sweetness and balance to the scent profile, and its black jar goes with just about anything.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The remaining balance would be paid directly to Black folk once a year.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to the outlets, the pair heard a loud bang and the elevator cabin jammed before eventually falling down the shaft, along with a number of concrete counterweights.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Amid the churn in Europe and globally, with trenchant nationalism on the rise, and a war raging in Ukraine just 1,200 miles from the palace, many might say that having a hereditary royal as their head of state offers some reassuring continuity, acting as a counterweight to political upheaval.—
Vivienne Walt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share