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
-
The Booker plan also raises taxes on the wealthy as a partial offset for its costs.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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Run an offset spatula or small knife around sides of cake to loosen, then turn out onto a large plate or cake stand and let cool completely.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As to who starts when, some might come down to availability, but in general, go with Latz to neutralize a lineup heavy with lefties, use Rocker against lineups that lean to the right.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
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There’s a plugin that can just neutralize that.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Castillo notes that billionaires have already adopted this strategy, spending millions on at least three counter-initiatives.—
Brad Hamilton,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Most everything is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, both of which are available to borrow or rent at the ticket counter.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This story has been corrected to show the name of the conservative Jewish group is the Zionist Organization of America, not Zionists for America.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
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State officials tried to correct the mistake but were not allowed to do so by federal regulators.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Even Cillizza still leans Republican on balance.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
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About 111 million Americans, or more than 40% of adults and half of credit cardholders, cannot afford to pay off their balances and carry more than $1 trillion in credit card debt from month to month, according to an analysis by Protect Borrowers and The Century Foundation.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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