counterbalance

1 of 2

noun

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-lən(t)s 

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-

1

: a weight that balances another

2

: a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force

counterbalance

2 of 2

verb

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-lən(t)s 

ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-

counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances

transitive verb

1

: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force

2

: to equip with counterbalances

Synonyms

Noun

• balance
• canceler
• canceller
• corrective
• counter
• counteraction
• counterforce
• counterpoise
• counterweight
• equipoise
• neutralizer
• offset

Verb

• annul
• cancel (out)
• compensate (for)
• correct
• counteract
• counterpoise
• make up (for)
• negative
• neutralize
• offset

Examples of counterbalance in a Sentence

Noun

charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season

Verb

The author's wry humor counterbalances the book's serious subject matter.

a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

San Jose Stage Artistic Director Randall King said the show, directed by Johnny Moreno and running through June 30, is a good counterbalance to all the troubling realities these days. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024

Meanwhile, Devon Walker’s semi-credulous Sharpe does more than get out of the way; his objections form a necessary counterbalance to the sheer force of Nwodim as Williams. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 23 May 2024

Verb

That’s because global emissions must reach net zero within a few decades to meet the Paris timeline, meaning any remaining carbon going into the atmosphere must be counterbalanced by an equal amount coming out. —Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, 9 June 2024

Iran wields tremendous influence in Iraq, but that influence would be even stronger without U.S. forces to counterbalance it. —Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

counterbalance

1 of 2 noun

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌbal-ən(t)s 

ˌkau̇nt-ər-ˈbal-

1

: a weight that balances another

2

: a force or influence that checks an opposing force

counterbalance

2 of 2 verb

: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force