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 WolfsonSynonyms
Examples of counterforce in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebElisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
In many ways, the logic of a counterforce strategy parallels the logic of traditional military strategy.
—Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2023
Despite this, America’s counterforce lead has actually grown.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023
There must be a counterforce that comes from within Congress.
—USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
Photo illustration: Annie Zhao Excitement over artificial intelligence is proving a powerful counterforce for a tech economy that had been slowing, lifting share prices and growth outlooks at many giants and igniting a wave of new startups.
—Tom Dotan, WSJ, 6 July 2023
Since the nadir of Russian power in the decade and a half following the Soviet collapse, Russia has bolstered both its nuclear deterrent and, to a degree, its counterforce capabilities.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023
Noun
The idea is for two pylons to be attached to a special structure on the tower with cables that are expected to exert a counterforce should the tower start tipping more dangerously.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
In many ways, the logic of a counterforce strategy parallels the logic of traditional military strategy.
—Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2023
Despite this, America’s counterforce lead has actually grown.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023
There must be a counterforce that comes from within Congress.
—USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
Photo illustration: Annie Zhao Excitement over artificial intelligence is proving a powerful counterforce for a tech economy that had been slowing, lifting share prices and growth outlooks at many giants and igniting a wave of new startups.
—Tom Dotan, WSJ, 6 July 2023
Since the nadir of Russian power in the decade and a half following the Soviet collapse, Russia has bolstered both its nuclear deterrent and, to a degree, its counterforce capabilities.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterforce.' 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 counterforce
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterforce. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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