as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
hard work can often be a counterweight to modest intelligence
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Recent Examples of counterweight
Moreover, Beijing likely sees solidifying a geopolitical counterweight to the United States and its allies as more important than preventing Iranian proliferation or reining in North Korea’s nuclear expansion.
—
Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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The market for voluntary carbon offset and removal credits has been struggling for the last several years to repair a reputation sullied by numerous greenwashing scandals.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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These spring-blooming bulbs naturalize easily and spread through self-seeding and new offsets that form on the bulbs underground.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Foden has improved the defensive side of his game to the point that Guardiola trusts him to play a more complete role in the centre of the pitch, but going with such a fluid line-up does risk exposing City on the counter.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The rise of digital payment systems has made tipping both easier and more awkward, especially when prompts appear at counters, kiosks and drive-thru windows.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Critics argue the ballroom's sheer scale—twice the size of the main residence—will fundamentally alter the White House's historic proportions and architectural balance.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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Yet, even as photovoltaic technology advances, engineers continue to chase a balance between efficiency, stability, and cost.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Potassium helps counterbalance sodium in your body, which raises your blood pressure.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
3 Nov. 2025
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Topped with a fluffy meringue that’s as high as a skyscraper, the filling’s sharp tartness is a nice counterbalance to the rich, carb-heavy foods typically found on the holiday table.—
Nila Do Simon,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Young Hoteliers Academy positions itself as a corrective.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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His most ambitious series to date, Pluribus can be seen as a corrective of sorts—a grand, artful, mind-bendingly philosophical, darkly funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but consistently humane vindication of our fractious species.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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