counterweight

noun

coun·ter·weight | \ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌwāt

Definition of counterweight

: an equivalent weight or force : counterbalance

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Examples of counterweight in a Sentence

The crane has a heavy counterweight on the back. hard work can often be a counterweight to modest intelligence

Recent Examples on the Web

That kind of everything-and-the-kitchen-sink performance can actually work if a movie is disciplined enough to serve as a counterweight. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "Venom is a bizarre and baffling mess," 3 Oct. 2018 Without this instinctive loyalty, the Constitution’s checks and balances are barricades of foam and counterweights of butterfly’s breath. — Joseph Tartakovsky, WSJ, "The Culture That Sustains America’s Constitution," 2 July 2018 Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has welcomed the counterweight to Iran. — Margherita Stancati, WSJ, "Saudis Open Iraqi Border and Forge Ties to Counter Iran," 23 Aug. 2017 This means the counterweight weighed in the neighborhood of 15 tons. — William Gurstelle, Popular Mechanics, "The Legend of Ludgar the War Wolf, King of the Trebuchets," 1 May 2017 But American forces are not inside the country to act as a counterweight to Iran, despite bin Salman’s wishes. — W.j. Hennigan, Time, "Saudi Crown Prince Says U.S. Troops Should Stay in Syria," 30 Mar. 2018 Mr Tillerson, for all his failures, sought to provide a moderate counterweight to Mr Trump’s impulsive and irrational views. — The Economist, "The Trump-whisperer," 15 Mar. 2018 At least in the immediate aftermath of the 1991 victory, the American administration wanted Iraq, without WMD but otherwise flourishing, as a responsible power in the Middle East and counterweight to Iran. — The Economist, "How Iraq was deprived of its weapons of mass destruction," 5 July 2018 Most visible in these brand’s provinçal straw hats and loose, flowing garments, the pastoral trend is an aesthetic and philosophical counterweight to fashion’s obsessions with speed, hype, and urgency. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "The Spring 2019 Men’s Trend Report," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'counterweight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.