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
coun·ter·bal·ance
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-lən(t)s
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-
counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances
1
: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
2
: to equip with counterbalances
Synonyms
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
Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2024
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
Ray Dalio, TIME, 25 June 2024
Although past great-power revisionists could sustain their capacity to produce weaponry even after extensive supply cutoffs were imposed on them by counterbalancing coalitions, the constraining effects of such cutoffs would be greatly magnified today.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance 
Noun
Recognizing that China’s nuclear policy is guided by the nebulous concept of strategic counterbalance affirms that it is driven more by political than military objectives.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2024
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
Verb
If done well, these interventions can more than counterbalance the classic toxic mix.
—Ray Dalio, TIME, 25 June 2024
Although past great-power revisionists could sustain their capacity to produce weaponry even after extensive supply cutoffs were imposed on them by counterbalancing coalitions, the constraining effects of such cutoffs would be greatly magnified today.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterbalance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near counterbalance
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterbalance. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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