coun·ter·bal·ance
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-lən(t)s 
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-
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-
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-
counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances
1
: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
2
: to equip with counterbalances
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
Simon Bland, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
When volatility keeps showing up uninvited, getting paid to set your own entry on a low volatility play can serve as a nice counterbalance to slow the swings in our portfolios.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
This spring, the Florida Legislature granted public school districts a less than 1% increase in funding for the upcoming year, which isn’t enough to counterbalance rising costs, Vazquez said.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
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Noun
Matthew was the perfect counterbalance.
—Simon Bland, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
When volatility keeps showing up uninvited, getting paid to set your own entry on a low volatility play can serve as a nice counterbalance to slow the swings in our portfolios.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Verb
This usually centers on the likes of Jefferson and his local, agrarian ideal; James Madison and his counterbalancing factions; Alexander Hamilton and his distrust of the common people.
—Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
This spring, the Florida Legislature granted public school districts a less than 1% increase in funding for the upcoming year, which isn’t enough to counterbalance rising costs, Vazquez said.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterbalance. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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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