as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterbalance
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
This may be because coffee contains other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counterbalance caffeine’s downsides over time.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Experts generally anticipate a modest decline in mortgage rates this month, even as market forces counterbalance each other.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
That gives it notes of black pepper and baking spices like cinnamon, creeping into the fruit-forward palate to provide a counterbalance to the whiskey’s inherent sweetness.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
This may be because coffee contains other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counterbalance caffeine’s downsides over time.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
That uncertainty and rise in unemployment tends to fuel a near-term dip in demand for goods, which counterbalances the price increases from tariffs.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Experts generally anticipate a modest decline in mortgage rates this month, even as market forces counterbalance each other.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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For example, paying off overdue federal taxes or bringing a federal student loan out of default could prevent an offset entirely.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Using small offset spatula, smooth into an even layer, working all the way to edges.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By contrast, a mobile, autonomous interceptor can dynamically pursue and neutralize targets at close range, offering both flexibility and scalability.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
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But Cronin’s essentially saying Michigan is one of the few teams built to neutralize that formula.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Liverpool were slow to react to the quick turnover of possession and their counter-press began too late.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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The hand-wound caliber, which features a flyback chronograph and a jumping-minute counter, was built around asymmetrical architecture that gives it that quintessentially Rexhepi feel.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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Violations were corrected later, records show.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But while the civil court found the war crimes allegations were mostly proven on a balance of probabilities, the war crime murder charges would have to be proved in a criminal court to a higher standard of beyond reasonable doubt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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But the actual balance was much lower.—
Carol Thompson,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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