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
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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
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Already racking up 15 Emmy nominations (and two wins), this HBO prequel series reinvigorates the franchise with breathtaking cinematography and CGI, stellar directing choices, and exceptional performances — offering a satisfying counterbalance to GOT's divisive end.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Disease risk arises from the intricate, dynamic interplay among many genes and variants, each influencing or counterbalancing the others, and sometimes triggering a cascade of effects.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
Higdon added that bystander videos have been a vital counterbalance to police abuses, pointing to the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer that became notorious only after a citizen’s video contradicted an initial police account.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Already racking up 15 Emmy nominations (and two wins), this HBO prequel series reinvigorates the franchise with breathtaking cinematography and CGI, stellar directing choices, and exceptional performances — offering a satisfying counterbalance to GOT's divisive end.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
But their leaders are already pledging to accelerate their efforts to stand on their own, and to work together to counterbalance bigger powers, including not just Russia and China but also now the United States.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Disease risk arises from the intricate, dynamic interplay among many genes and variants, each influencing or counterbalancing the others, and sometimes triggering a cascade of effects.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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Pruning For Cuttings Speaking of offsets, these are a great way to propagate your succulents and spread more plants around the garden.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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Under the Daylight Act, the time zone UTC offsets would be changed to half-hour increments rather than hours.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The United Arab Emirates neutralized multiple drones targeting Abu Dhabi’s industrial zone.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
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While knowing that the soil can be neutralized is a major step forward, large-scale washing would require significant infrastructure.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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However, a curious counter-trend—one that began in New York and is now being cemented by the opening day of Paris Fashion Week—is simultaneously occurring.—
Alexandra Hildreth,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
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Alongside the low-cost systems, the US also used the far more expensive MQ-9 Reaper drones and counter-drone systems in the operation.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That proposal, which pre-dated the mid-January announcement that the Modesto cannery would close, follows a similar structure used for a tree-pull program in 2005, in which the government assisted to correct an oversupply of cling peaches.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
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Erosion can damage foundations, and regrading may be necessary to correct drainage issues.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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What the numbers tell us Of course, the average balance of $146,000 across all age groups saving for retirement isn’t that high.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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Striking the right balance will require delicate diplomacy from Merz.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In recent years Africa’s political and business leaders have come to see Gulf nations as the perfect counterweight to diversify away from Washington and Beijing and tap new sources of capital.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Sunni Islamist organization did not receive large-scale aid from Iran until the 1990s, and, according to Israeli press accounts, Israel provided early support as a counterweight to the secular Palestine Liberation Organization.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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