counterbalance

1 of 2

noun

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

counterbalance

2 of 2

verb

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-lən(t)s  ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba- 

counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances

transitive verb

1

: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force

2

: to equip with counterbalances

Synonyms of counterbalance

Noun

• offset
• counter
• balance
• counterweight

Verb

• offset
• neutralize
• correct

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

Noun

However, the overall economy seems mostly stable, acting as a bit of a counterbalance. —Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026

Move Beyond Single Stocks With A Multi-Asset Portfolio Individual selections can be volatile; however, diversified assets counterbalance one another. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Verb

That uncertainty and rise in unemployment tends to fuel a near-term dip in demand for goods, which counterbalances the price increases from tariffs. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

Experts generally anticipate a modest decline in mortgage rates this month, even as market forces counterbalance each other. —Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for counterbalance

• overbalance
• balance
• valance
• vallance
• imbalance
• rebalance
• unbalance

Kids 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