coun·ter·force
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌfȯrs
variants
or counter-force
plural counterforces or counter-forces
: a force that opposes another force
The hands grip a series of holds or shuffle along an edge, while the feet provide a counterforce by pushing against the rock …—Don Graydon
Everywhere, we are witnessing an almost mad race between resurgent nationalism, ethnic hatreds and the counter-force of potential prosperity and free exchange.—George Steiner
Hideki Yukawa's theory suggested that by exchanging a particle with a particular mass, one could create a strong attractive counterforce that would bind protons to protons, protons to neutrons, and neutrons to neutrons.—Leon Lederman et al.
variants
or counter-force
: being or relating to military activity that is focused on reducing the fighting capability of the opponent's forces (as by destroying military bases or weapons) while attempting to minimize civilian casualties
Targeting military facilities … is a counterforce strategy, aimed at destruction of an opponent's armed forces.—Richard Wolfson
compare countervalue
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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