as in offsets
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
this medication will counteract the symptoms but it won't kill the infection
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Recent Examples of counteracts
The warmth of these paint colors counteracts the cool light in north-facing rooms, adds depth and character, and makes the otherwise cool spaces feel inviting.
—
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
However, orthopedic surgeons explain that the amount of sugar in the beverage actually counteracts those bone-supporting benefits.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
The light blue shade counteracts purple and pink tones to cover redness and veins, while the peach shade brightens and corrects sallow-looking skin.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Dec. 2025
This practice counteracts your brain’s obsession with what’s wrong and builds psychological resilience, one moment at a time.
—Jessica Weiss, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
The Miracle Of Dishwasher Salt For those of you out there with hard water issues, dishwasher salt counteracts hard water.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025
The red counteracts the green, and the acidity helps neutralize the reaction.
—Maureen Choi, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
In combination, these strategies offer a blueprint for daily living that counteracts some of the evolutionary mismatches of modern life.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
However, orthopedic surgeons explain that the amount of sugar in the beverage actually counteracts those bone-supporting benefits.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
The light blue shade counteracts purple and pink tones to cover redness and veins, while the peach shade brightens and corrects sallow-looking skin.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Dec. 2025
This practice counteracts your brain’s obsession with what’s wrong and builds psychological resilience, one moment at a time.
—Jessica Weiss, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
The Miracle Of Dishwasher Salt For those of you out there with hard water issues, dishwasher salt counteracts hard water.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025
The red counteracts the green, and the acidity helps neutralize the reaction.
—Maureen Choi, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
In combination, these strategies offer a blueprint for daily living that counteracts some of the evolutionary mismatches of modern life.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counteracts
Verb
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Brass looks particularly stunning alongside other natural materials like marble and wood, where its warmth offsets cooler surfaces and enhances organic textures.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
25 Jan. 2026
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House Republicans last October proposed cutting state taxes on the middle class by as much as $700 per year by boosting a credit that offsets a portion of municipal property tax bills.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead of scattering light, this coating neutralizes reflections, making dark scenes easier to see even under direct lighting.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Jan. 2026
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Its acidity effectively breaks down grease, eliminates mold, neutralizes odors, and dissolves mineral deposits.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If a fast, irregular rhythm is recognized, the device corrects it by sending a small electrical signal, according to a news release.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Jan. 2026
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If the sale does go through, the administration can still use its enforcement powers to make sure any new owner corrects open violations and adheres to rent-stabilization laws.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dunk could lose everything, though at this point the reward outweighs the risk.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The risk of complications from not receiving a vitamin K shot at birth far outweighs the risks of the injection itself.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The pastel counterbalances the darker and mid-tones in the forecast.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
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The book counterbalances the weirdo factor with multiple heartwarming Disney Adult interviews, including one with an amputee who achieved a running goal at a Disney race and another in which a woman reprioritized, choosing a church mission trip instead of financing another Disney World adventure.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counteracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counteracts. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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