coun·ter·force
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌfȯrs 
variants
or counter-force
plural counterforces or counter-forces
: a force that opposes another force
The hands grip a series of holds or shuffle along an edge, while the feet provide a counterforce by pushing against the rock …—
Don Graydon
Don GraydonEverywhere, we are witnessing an almost mad race between resurgent nationalism, ethnic hatreds and the counter-force of potential prosperity and free exchange.—George Steiner
George SteinerHideki Yukawa's theory suggested that by exchanging a particle with a particular mass, one could create a strong attractive counterforce that would bind protons to protons, protons to neutrons, and neutrons to neutrons.—Leon Lederman et al.
Leon Lederman et al.
variants
or counter-force
: being or relating to military activity that is focused on reducing the fighting capability of the opponent's forces (as by destroying military bases or weapons) while attempting to minimize civilian casualties
Targeting military facilities … is a counterforce strategy, aimed at destruction of an opponent's armed forces.—Richard Wolfson
compare countervalue
Richard WolfsonExamples of counterforce in a Sentence
Noun
the belief that higher interest rates are an effective counterforce to inflationary pressures
Recent Examples on the Web
Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Corporate volunteering may offer a counterforce to the disillusionment, anxiety, loneliness, and apathy that define much of modern life.
—Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Or maybe fast-food chains did streamline their business processes with the help of new technologies, but at the same time, maybe there were productivity-sucking counterforces.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
History shows that autocratic states like Russia are only deterred by a strong counterforce from a rival that balances it and threatens its survival.
—William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
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Noun
In view of these drawbacks, a better approach would be to adapt the current counterforce strategy for the new era.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Corporate volunteering may offer a counterforce to the disillusionment, anxiety, loneliness, and apathy that define much of modern life.
—Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Or maybe fast-food chains did streamline their business processes with the help of new technologies, but at the same time, maybe there were productivity-sucking counterforces.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
History shows that autocratic states like Russia are only deterred by a strong counterforce from a rival that balances it and threatens its survival.
—William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterforce. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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