as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
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Recent Examples of counteract
Supporting skin health during the colder months starts from within by choosing foods that help counteract seasonal dryness.
—
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
The broad sense that the country is moving in the right direction may be counteracting Republican dissatisfaction with the state of the economy.
—Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Taking a few extra seconds to consciously judge information can counteract illusory truth, indicating that intentionally slowing down even just a bit can be beneficial.
—Jt Torres, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
Some shower curtains are designed with weights, magnets or even suction cups near their base to counteract this problem.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
The broad sense that the country is moving in the right direction may be counteracting Republican dissatisfaction with the state of the economy.
—Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Taking a few extra seconds to consciously judge information can counteract illusory truth, indicating that intentionally slowing down even just a bit can be beneficial.
—Jt Torres, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
Some shower curtains are designed with weights, magnets or even suction cups near their base to counteract this problem.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counteract
Verb
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The defending league champion Blue Jays have added Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers and Cody Ponce to their pitching staff while signing Kazuma Okamoto to help offset the loss of Bo Bichette in free agency.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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Glenview Trust, FactSet, Bloomberg Earnings Insights By Sector Positive earnings revisions within the materials, consumer discretionary, and financial sectors were offset by downward revisions in the health care, utilities, and energy sectors.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The in-shower treatment bolsters shine and intense hydration, while neutralizing discoloration.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
21 Jan. 2026
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The only piece missing in the 26-year-old Bonitto’s season — besides an All-Pro nod — was consistent effort in the run game, as he’ll sometimes be neutralized by one-on-one blocks on the outside.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This story has been updated to correct the attribution in a quote to Nixon instead of Moody.—
Freida Frisaro,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
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The story has been corrected and updated.—
Steven Portnoy,
ABC News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counteract. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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