as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counteract
Poor sleep and stress can take a toll on skin, while exercise can improve blood flow to the skin and may help counteract the loss of elasticity and dermal thickness that comes with aging.
—
Maria Godoy, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025
As a general rule, North-facing rooms benefit from warm colors to counteract cool, shadowy light, while South-facing rooms can handle richer colors and true whites under abundant golden light.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Foods can increase, lower, or counteract the effects of these drugs.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 20 Oct. 2025
In April, Zeldin announced a set of actions the EPA planned to take to counteract PFAS contamination in American drinking water.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Maria Godoy, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025
As a general rule, North-facing rooms benefit from warm colors to counteract cool, shadowy light, while South-facing rooms can handle richer colors and true whites under abundant golden light.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Foods can increase, lower, or counteract the effects of these drugs.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 20 Oct. 2025
In April, Zeldin announced a set of actions the EPA planned to take to counteract PFAS contamination in American drinking water.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counteract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counteract
Verb
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However, both services also saw an increase in the number of sign-ups during the month of September, which helped offset those nixing their subscriptions, according to data released Monday.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
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The walls, still pistachio, were now offset by two large aubergine sofas by the designer Athena Calderone.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What’s more, opponents have neutralized his impact as a runner in recent weeks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Some critics have interpreted the ending as a glib last-minute twist that threatens to neutralize the story’s potency and dismisses the seriousness of the movie’s premise.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His teachers corrected his posture and his hands; the angle of the arms and the way the wrist releases into the top of the drum, or drum head which usually is made from animal skin.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
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This story has been updated to correct the officer's rank.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counteract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counteract. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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