counterweight

noun

coun·​ter·​weight ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌwāt 

: an equivalent weight or force : counterbalance

counterweight transitive verb

Synonyms of counterweight

• 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

Lula’s victory strengthens Brazil’s role as a counterweight to Washington, but both governments have reasons to cooperate on trade, security and Brazil’s vast critical-mineral reserves. — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

OpenAI was founded in 2015 partly as a counterweight to the concentration of AI research at companies like Google. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

In 1937, Foyles started the Right Book Club, a rather feeble counterweight to Victor Gollancz’s Left Book Club. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

The shifting investments come as both parties make their final spending decisions in the battle for Senate control, with Democrats pointing to their candidates and the political environment as potential counterweights to Republican money. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for counterweight

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

Kids Definition

counterweight

noun

coun·​ter·​weight ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌwāt 

: counterbalance entry 1 sense 1