countervail

verb

coun·​ter·​vail ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈvāl How to pronounce countervail (audio)
countervailed; countervailing; countervails

transitive verb

1
: to compensate for
2
archaic : equal, match
3
: to exert force against : counteract

intransitive verb

: to exert force against an opposing and often bad or harmful force or influence

Examples of countervail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But without countervailing worker power, the economy can be damaged by unchecked corporate control and government capture. Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 To his sons, however, the Party offers meaning and purpose—a powerful countervailing force to the lack of prospects besetting their generation, which had been decimated by the Great War. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2025 His policies are imposing countervailing forces on the economy. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025 Across the town, there’s despair and creative destruction and all sorts of countervailing indicators. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 6 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for countervail

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countrevailen, from Anglo-French cuntrevaloir, from cuntre- counter- + valoir to be worth, from Latin valēre — more at wield

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of countervail was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Countervail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countervail. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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