counterweight

noun

coun·​ter·​weight ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌwāt How to pronounce counterweight (audio)
Synonyms of counterweightnext
: an equivalent weight or force : counterbalance
counterweight transitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This setup needed a special handling system and a custom counterweight to keep the rotor steady as it was lifted to its final height. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026 For decades, Hezbollah’s arsenal had been tolerated, even tacitly condoned—shielded by the group’s political power and by its status among supporters as a counterweight to Israel. Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026 As a counterweight to the headmasterly arrogance of the NSFC, Thompson makes a fair point with a fabulous split-screen montage showing how the radical new wave of independent filmmaking coming out of America in 1970 made Ryan’s Daughter seem hopelessly antiquated. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 The volcano is a useful counterweight to everything else on the island. Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterweight

Word History

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterweight was in 1693

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Cite this Entry

“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterweight. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

counterweight

noun
coun·​ter·​weight ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌwāt How to pronounce counterweight (audio)

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