counterweight

noun

coun·​ter·​weight ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌwāt 

: an equivalent weight or force : counterbalance

counterweight transitive verb

Synonyms

• offset
• counter
• balance
• counterbalance
• corrective

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

But in a reminder that Trump is not wildly popular with the electorate so much as unopposed by any effective political counterweight, groups of foreign tourists predominated among the parade’s early arrivals. —Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

With MacDougall and doctors watching over, the man died, and MacDougall noticed the scale’s counterweight dropped with surprising quickness. —Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025

The aim of Turning Point was to engage young Republicans and serve as a counterweight to liberal groups. —Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Kirk and the businessman, William Montgomery, would start Turning Point USA with the aim of engaging young Republicans, a counterweight to liberal groups. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterweight

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

counterweight

noun

coun·​ter·​weight ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌwāt 

: counterbalance entry 1 sense 1