as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterbalance
Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 24 July 2025
They're meant to provide the innocent counterbalance to the researchers, the human beings whose lives are caught in the balance through no fault of their own.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
This acts as a third anchor to counterbalance the pull of the wind.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
This allows enough scope to counterbalance concessions in areas of strategic interest.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 24 July 2025
They're meant to provide the innocent counterbalance to the researchers, the human beings whose lives are caught in the balance through no fault of their own.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
The board appointed Mark Goines as lead independent director to counterbalance the new structure.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
This acts as a third anchor to counterbalance the pull of the wind.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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The latest estimates indicate that up to 10 million defaulted borrowers are at risk of tax refund or Social Security benefit offsets.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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However, creditor agencies, including the Education Department, are required to warn borrowers of a possible upcoming offset about two months beforehand, the lawmakers said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For years, scientists have focused on finding ways to neutralize or eliminate this stubborn waste.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
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The red counteracts the green, and the acidity helps neutralize the reaction.—
Maureen Choi,
Glamour,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Since buying the property in 2013, Swift has drawn fans to Bay Street, the village's main drag of clothing boutiques and ice cream counters, all checklist items on the Swiftie itinerary.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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Its combination of faux pinecones, pine twigs, and wooden flowers can bring warmth to any space, from your dining table to side tables in your living room, in your entryway next to the front door, or even at the center of your kitchen counter.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Companies can correct perceptions of unfairness by clearly communicating the value, argues Zhang.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Tarik Skubal course-corrected For now, the story of Detroit’s season is its historic collapse down the stretch.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This neurocosmetic innovation, inspired by Nobel Prize-winning research on touch receptors, works by activating sensory pathways in the skin to trigger the release of mood-regulating biomarkers, establishing a continuous feedback loop between skin repair and emotional balance.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
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Over the first three weeks, the 49ers somehow maintained their balance as cracks and fissures formed all over their lineup.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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That makes Leo’s ascension well timed to offer a corrective.—
Mike Burbach,
Twin Cities,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Moreover, Beijing likely sees solidifying a geopolitical counterweight to the United States and its allies as more important than preventing Iranian proliferation or reining in North Korea’s nuclear expansion.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
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But in a reminder that Trump is not wildly popular with the electorate so much as unopposed by any effective political counterweight, groups of foreign tourists predominated among the parade’s early arrivals.—
Seth Harp,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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