counterweight
noun
coun·ter·weight
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌwāt 
: 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
In his best moments, former CPS CEO Pedro Martinez served as a counterweight to this kind of CTU extremism.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
One of his chief insights was that the government itself could be a balancing force, increasing or decreasing its spending like a counterweight.
—Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
In December, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland — motivated by the territory’s strategic position along the Red Sea as a potential counterweight to Iran and the Houthis, and framed by Netanyahu as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Xi’s unwillingness or inability to intervene in events so far from home seems to be harming China’s reputation as a geopolitical counterweight to the United States.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
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.
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
One of his chief insights was that the government itself could be a balancing force, increasing or decreasing its spending like a counterweight.
—Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
In December, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland — motivated by the territory’s strategic position along the Red Sea as a potential counterweight to Iran and the Houthis, and framed by Netanyahu as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Xi’s unwillingness or inability to intervene in events so far from home seems to be harming China’s reputation as a geopolitical counterweight to the United States.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterweight. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counterweight
noun
coun·ter·weight
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌwāt
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
