1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
a musical piece with a counterpoise of loud and soft passages
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the happiness brought by a new baby was a timely counterpoise to the grief occasioned by a death in the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
her overall healthiness largely counterpoised the virulence of the infection
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterpoise
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Noun
Molina, the embodiment of theatrical excellence, is perfectly cast as the rational counterpoise to Brady’s zealotry.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Verb
Indeed, the Western, that peculiarly American contribution to the world’s store of epic and saga, often depends on the tale of a defeated Confederate at large to enforce virtue, someone whose heroic individualism is counterpoised with the superficial discipline of the federal troops.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoise
Noun
-
The uneasy equilibrium Russia had achieved was growing increasingly precarious.—
Nicole Grajewski,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Jan. 2025
-
This isn't Bruton's first self-balancing he's made, but this is the first time using equilibrium balls as wheels.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As does a menu of potential spending offsets proposed by House Republicans, which includes a new fee for EVs and the elimination of a tax credit loophole for leasing them.—
Andrew J. Hawkins,
The Verge,
22 Jan. 2025
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House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans met Tuesday to suss out how changes to Medicaid or other health care measures could be used as offsets in a reconciliation bill.—
Peter Sullivan,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And so, even our mothers and grandmothers might stand corrected on their makeup techniques.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2025
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This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Lily Zhang’s name.—
Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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On the way out, lean your head over the pharmacy counter and say hi to Harrel’s grandson, pharmacist Nick Harrel III, who heads the operation today.—
Pam LeBlanc,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2025
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On the counter: The USDA recommends storing butter at room temperature no longer than 1 or 2 days.—
Annie Peterson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Knicks went all-in on acquiring Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby to be the backbone of a defense capable of neutralizing elite perimeter scorers.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
18 Jan. 2025
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Researchers have successfully designed two proteins to neutralize some of the most lethal venom toxins, using a suite of artificial intelligence tools, per a study published January 15 in the journal Nature.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Jeanty is an elite back with outstanding contact balance, burst and acceleration to wear defenses down.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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Electrolyte Balance: The adrenal glands ensure a proper balance of minerals in the blood, such as sodium and potassium.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Despite these denials, the alliance between the two nations is increasingly viewed as a counterweight to Western influence in the region and beyond.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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Intended as a counterweight to NATO, the organization is based on a principle that an attack against one member should be perceived as an attack against all.—
Ivan Nechepurenko,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near counterpoise
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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